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THE HISTORY 



OF THE TOWNS OF 



PlAlFIELD, ^trn^ AfiD FAY^TOpl, 

[Fkom Vol. IV, of the Vermont Historical Gazetteer, now in press.] 

With Makshfield or Middlesex Papers in Fifty Copies. 




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COMPLETE IN ONE NUMBER. 



Price, Fifty Cents per Copy 



MONTPELIER, VT : 

PUBLISHED BY MISS A. M. HEMENWAY. 

1882. 

Printed by Joseph Poland, Montijelier, Vt. 



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THE VERMONT CAPITOL. 




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THE STA]E FLAG 



PLAINFIELD. 



713 



PLAINFIELD. 

BY DUDLEY B. SMITH, M. D. 

Plainfield is a small township, which 
contained, before the annexation of Goshen 
Gore, about 9,600 acres. Its surface was 
uneven, but no more so than the average 
of Eastern Vermont. It contained but 
little waste land, and was upon the whole 
a productive township. 

Goshen Gore, by Plainfield, was about 
3.^ miles long by i^ wide, lying east of 
Plainfield, and containing 3,000 acres. 
But very little of it is suitable for tillage. 
At one time it contained several families, 
but now has none. It formed a part of 
the town of Goshen until 1854. 

It was annexed to Plainfield in 1874. It 
was embraced in the Yorkist town of 
Truro, and its highest mountain, which is 
called from that circumstance Mt. Truro, 
was measured by the writer, and found to 
be 2,229 f^st above Plainfield station, or 
about 2,984 feet above the sea. 

Winooski river flo.ws about ij mile 
through the north-western corner of the 
town. Soon after it passes the line into 
Plainfield, it runs through and over a ledge 
of rocks, making an excellent mill priv- 
ilege, around which has grown up the vil- 
lage of Plainfield. 

By the canal survey of 1826, thi.s stream 
at the west line of Plainfield was 152 feet 
above Montpelier, 546 above Lake Cham- 
plain, and 636 feet above the ocean. By 
the railroad survey, the station at Plain- 
field is 264 feet above the meadow near 
the mill-pond at Montpelier, or about 755 
feet above the ocean. 

The Great Brook rises in the eastern 
part of the town, and in Harris Gore, 
passes into Orange and returns, flowing 
northerly through the town, and enters 
the Winooski in Plainfield village. Gun- 
ner's Brook is a small stream, that rises in 
the southern part of the town, and empties 
into Stevens' Branch in Barre village. 

In the southern part of the town on the 
banks of the Great Brook, is a medicinal 
spring, which is very efficacious in the cure 
of cutaneous and other diseases. Its vir- 



tues are largely owing to the presence of 
sulphuretted hydrogen gas. 

The town of Truro, which was chartered 
by New York, contained 22,000 acres. Its 
form resembled a carpenter's square, each 
limb being a little over 3 miles wide, and 
on its outer or longest side, nearly 6 miles 
long. The northern part of what is now 
Barre formed the southern limb. The 
eastern part of Plainfield, with a corner of 
Orange, t.he eastern or northern limb. The 
western part of Plainfield, with Montpelier 
and East Montpelier, was embraced in the 
town of Kingsboro, and contained 30,000 
acres, and was chartered to John Morin 
Scott. 

In 1773, Samuel Gale commenced the 
survey of one or both of these townships, 
and this was the first party of white men 
known to have passed through Plainfield. 
[For a biography of Gale see Hall's His- 
tory of Eastern Vermont, p. 643.] In Ira 
Allen's History of Vermont he says : "In 
the summer of 1773, ^^^ Allen, learning 
that the land jobbers of New York were 
engaged in surveying near the head of 
Onion River, started with a party from 
Colchester in pursuit of them. He passed 
through Middlesex, Kingsboro and More- 
town to Haverhill, when learning of the 
whereabouts of the surveyor, he returned 
and found his lines, which he followed to 
near the north-east cqrner of Montpelier, 
where he found the surveyor had just de- 
camped, having been warned, he supposed, 
by a hunter Allen had met. According to 
Allen's field book the surveyor's camp was 
on a meadow near the north-east corner of 
the old town of Montpelier. Kingsboro 
was the Yorkist name for Washington. 
Moretown, or Moortown, is now Bradford, 
and not the present town of that name. 

Allen then passed through Barre and 
Washington to Bradford, and returning 
with a knowledge of where the surveyor 
was to be found, passed through Plainfield 
on his return. As the line between Truro 
and Kingsboro passed nearly through the 
center of Plainfield, a large part of Gale's 
surveys must have been in this town. 
John Morin Scott, the grantee of Kings- 
boro, was a member of the New York 



90 



714 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Legislature in the Revolution, and on ac- 
count of his ownership of this town, was 
made a member of the New York council 
of safety, to represent this section of Ver- 
mont. He received $49.91 of the $30,000 
which was paid by Vermont to New York 
to indemnify the New York claimants. 

In Aug. 1788, James Whitelaw, of Rye- 
gate, James Savage, of New York, and 
William Coit, of Burlington, caused the 
tract of land lying between Barre and 
Marshfield, Montpelier and Goshen Gore, 
to be measured and the bounds marked, 
and at that time or before, it received the 
name of -St. Andrew's Gore. 

They also measured a gore near Cam- 
bridge, of 10,000 acres, one near Calders- 
burg, now Morgan, of 1,500 acres, some 
islands in Lake Champlain, containing 
1,500 acres, also islands in Otter Creek, 
containing 30 acres, making 23,030 acres, 
or about the usual size of a township, St. 
Andrew's Gore being reckoned at 10,000 
acres. These tracts were never incorpo- 
jated into a town ; like Goshen, which 
was composed of widely separated por- 
tions. The different parts of Whitelaw's 
grant, as it was called, had no connection 
with each other. 

The charter of these lands was granted 
Oct. 23, 1788. In 1788, '90 and '92, 
Whitelaw, Savage and Coit deeded their 
claims to Ira Allen, of Colchester, brother 
of Ethan, and to Gamaliel Painter, of 
Middlebury, the chief founder of Middle- 
bury College. Allen and Painter gave a 
verbal agency to Col. Jacob Davis, of 
.Montpelier, who, upon this authority, in 
May, 1793, began giving warrantee deeds 
of these lands in his own name. The 
following letter is recorded in the Plain- 
field land records : 

Mjdulebuky, Apr. 5, 1795. 
Sir: — On my return from your home, I 
called on General Allen. He seems to 
think that it would be altogether guess- 
work to divide the land without seeing of 
it, but agreed that I might sell adjoining to 
the land sold sufficient to make up my 
part reckoning of it in quantity and qual- 
ity. And I wish you to sell to any person 
that wants to purchase and make good pay. 
You know my want in regard to pay better 



than I can write, and for your trouble in 
the matter, I will make you satisfaction. 
I am, sir. Your most obedient. 

Humble servant, 
Gam.a.. P.\ixter. 

This letter proves that Allen and Painter 
then recognized Davis as their agent to 
sell and to convey ; for no deeds had then 
been given by Allen or Painter to any one, 
under their own signature and seal. One 
of the old settlers claimed that once when 
Ira Allen was in Plainfield, he asked him 
to give him a deed of a lot that he had 
bargained for of Davis, and that Allen 
said, " Let Davis give the deed, he has 
the rest."' 

At last differences arose between Davis 
and Allen, and in 1799, Davis ceased to 
act as their agent, and sued Allen before 
the county court at Danville, and in 1804, 
recovered $2,500 on this suit, and a part 
of the town was set off to him on this ex- 
ecution, and Davis from Burlington jail- 
yard conveyed it over again to those to 
whom he had previously given deeds. 
About the same time the University of 
Vermont recovered $15,000 of Ira Allen, 
and the remainder of the town was set off 
to them. To strengthen their title, Davis 
and the settlers twice allowed nearly all 
of the town to be sold for taxes, once on a 
State tax, and once on a Lf. S. tax, each 
man bidding off his own farm. 

In 1802, Ira Allen Cjuit-claimed his rights 
in this town to Heman Allen, of Col- 
chester. This was some 2 years before 
the lands were set off to Davis snd the 
University on executions against Ira Allen. 
Davis and the settlers held their own 
against Heman Allen until Aug. 31, 1807, 
when Allen purchased the claim of the 
University, and five days after, deeded the 
whole to James Savage, of Plattsburg, 
N. Y. Three days after this, Savage gave 
Allen a power of attorney to dispose of 
these lands. This gave Allen, in the 
name of Savage, an opportunity to com- 
mence suits of ejectment against the set- 
tlers before the U. S. Courts at Windsor 
and Rutland. For, by the constitution, 
citizens of one state may sue citizens of 
another in the V. S. Courts. Probably 



PLAINFIELD. 



715 



the transfer to Savage of this claim was a 
sham, to enable Allen to bring his suits 
where the court, and especially the jury, 
would not have so much sympathy for the 
settlers as they would in the county where 
they resided. This trick, if trick it was, 
decided the contest. In 1808, Allen, in 
the name of Savage, got a decision of the 
circuit court in his favor. By a law of 
1785, a person making improvements on 
lands to which he supposed he had good 
title, had a claim for his betterments, and 
for one-half of the rise in value of the 
property while in his possession, that there 
would have been had there been no im- 
provements. The settlers, therefore, did 
not have to pay very much more for their 
lands the second than the first time of 
purchase ; often not more than one-fourth 
of its value at that time. The price paid 
to Davis for land from 1793 to 1799 av- 
eraged about $1.25 per acre. The price 
paid to Allen in 1808, for the second pur- 
chase, averaged a little less than $3 per 
acre. 

Davis died within the limits of Burling- 
ton jail-yard in 18 14, having been sent 
there for debt about the year 1802. As 
this was several years before the Plainfield 
suits were decided, it could not have been 
on account of them that he was sent there. 

It is the opinion of Hon. C. H. Heath 
and others who have investigated the 
matter, that as the laws are now adminis- 
tered, the settlers would have saved their 
lands by a suit in chancery ; but at that 
time very little was done in this court, the 
powers of which have now grown to be so 
e.\tensive. 

It is a singular coincidence, perhaps an 
example of retributive justice, that in the 
same year that Jacob Davis died in the 
jail-yard at Burlington, Ira Allen died in 
poverty at Philadelphia, where he had 
gone to escape being imprisoned for debt 
in the same jail. 

In the autumn of 1791, Seth Freeman, 
of Weldon, N. H., and Isaac Washburn, 
of the adjoining town of Croydon, came 
into town by the way of the East Hill in 
Montpelier. When they came to what is 
now the Four Corners near L. Cheney 



Batchelders house, Washburn decided 
that there should be his pitch. They 
camped for the night by the side of a hem- 
lock log in the hollow between the south 
district school-house and Lewis Durfee's. 
Freeman chose this location. The next 
year they returned and made these pitches. 
When a man made a clearing before the 
land was surveyed, it was usual when the 
lines were run to survey him out a farm 
that would include all of his clearing with- 
out regard to the regular lot lines, and 
such a piece of land was called a " pitch." 

Before the town was surveyed by Jacob 
Davis in the .spring of 1793, there were five 
such pitches made. They were Hezekiah 
Davis' pitch, 304 rods long, 31 wide, 
which adjoined his farm in Montpelier. 
Joseph Batchelder's pitch of 650 acres, 
mostly lying in the S. W. corner of the 
town, Theodore Perkins' pitch of 100 
acres, Isaac Washburn's pitch, 320 acres. 
Seth Freeman's pitch, 300 acres. 

There was also a gore between Free- 
man's pitch and the 5th range of lots, 34 
to 40 rods wide. They all lay in the S. W. 
corner of the town. The clearings of 
1792 were made by men living in shan- 
ties, who abandoned the town in the fall. 
In 1793 they returned, and perhaps some 
of them brought their families ; but they 
all removed in the fall excepting the fam- 
ily of Theodore Perkins, and Alden Free- 
man, a widower, who boarded with them. 

Theodore Perkins and his wife, Martha 
Conant, were from Bridgewater, Mass. 
They removed to Pomfret, Vt., and from 
there to Plainfield, Mar. 10, 1793, on to a 
clearing said to have been begun by Ben- 
jamin Nash. The town being surveyed 
soon after, this clearing received the name 
of Perkins' pitch. July 8, Perkins built a 
log-barn ; but his house seems to have 
been built before he moved into town. In 
Dec. 1793, Alfred Perkins was born — 
the first birth in town. The last that was 
known of him he was living in the State of 
New York. 

In the spring of 1794, Isaac Washburn's 
family moved into town, bringing with 
them Polly Reed, who afterwards married 
Benjamin Niles, and was grandmother to 



7i6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the present Geo. Niles She went over 
to Perkins" house, and \va§ the first woman 
Mrs. Perkins had seen for several months. 
Whatever scandalous stories may have 
been told by or of the fair sex of Plain- 
field since that time, that winter it was 
certainly free from gossiping and tattling. 

Nov. 1794, Perkins sold his claim to 
Joshua Lawrence, who procured a deed of 
it from Jacob Davis. Perkins removed to 
Montpelier, and in 1798 went to Kentucky 
to look after a tract of several thousand 
acres of land that had fallen to him. He 
wrote home that his title was good, and 
that he was coming after his family. Noth- 
ing more was ever heard from him. His 
friends think he was murdered. His widow 
removed to Lyme, N. H., in 1800. 

Theodore Perkins left four sons and one 
daughter: Thomas, who died at Lyme, 
N. H., in 1871 ; Martin P., who lived at 
Shipton, Canada; Elinas P., lived in 
Scituate, Mass. — one of his sons, Thomas 
Henry, is a broker in Boston. The wife 
of Rev. A. S. Swift, formerly in charge of 
the Congregational church in Plainfield, 
was Theodore Perkins' grandaughter. 
; The Perkins house was on the flat, east 
of the Joshua Lawrence house, and south 
of the present road. 

Seth Freeman made a pitch of 300 acres, 
and purchased lot No. i, in the fourth 
range, which made him a farm of 430 
acres. This he divided among his broth- 
ers, apparently as he thought they needed 
and deserved. He was one of the two 
men who purchased their land of Davis, 
who did not have to buy it again of Allen, 
having gained it by possession, and was 
for a time called rich, but became poor 
and moved away before his death. 

He was not the oldest of the family, but 
like Abraham was the head of it. Unlike 
that patriarch, however, he cannot be the 
founder of a nation, for he left no children. 
His father, Ebenezer, lived with him. 

Alden Freeman was the oldest of the 
family. He married for his second wife, 
Precilla, daughter of Isaac Washburn, 
which was the first marriage in town. He 
lived at first on the Courtland Perry place, 
(lot I, range 4,) but removed to the N. 



W. corner of Freeman's pitch, where he 
built the Thompson house, now in ruins 
and owned by Alonzo Batchelder. 

He had a large family; Sally, widow of 
Thompson and of Larabee, of Barre, and 
Lucy, widow of Lawson, of Barre, and 
mother of George Lawson, were his 
daughters. 

Ebenezer Freeman Jr. lived on the Court- 
land Perry farm. In his barn was kept 
one of the first schools in town, — perhaps 
quite the first. He was the father of the 
late Mrs. Freeman Landers. 

Edmund Freeman lived on the S. W. 
corner of Freeman's pitch, — the farm now 
owned by his son Edmund. 

Isaac Freeman built the house now 
owned by Elias Gladding, in 1806. It is 
on the N. W. corner of the Freeman lot 
(No. I, range 4). He taught the first 
school in town. Mrs. Daniel A. Perry is 
his daughter. He died in 1813, and his 
widow married his brother Nathan, who 
owned the S. E. corner of Freeman's 
pitch, next to Barre line, and to J. Wesley 
Batchelder's farm. Isaac Freeman, Mrs. 
N. W. Keith, and Mrs. Carrol Flood are 
his children. 

The Batchelder brothers, Joseph, Moul- 
ton and Nathaniel, came from Lyndeboro, 
N. H. Nathaniel lived and died in Barre, 
and was the grandfather of the late J. 
Wesley Batchelder, of Piainfield. Lieut. 
Joseph Batchelder, then 42 years of age, 
commenced his clearing in the S. W. cor- 
ner of the town, in 1792, and moved his 
family permanently on to it in 1794. 

Nathaniel Clark had commenced a clear- 
ing in Montpelier, on the farm lately owned 
by his son George. Neither knew of the 
neighborhood of the other until Clark one 
day, hearing the sound of chopping, start- 
ed toward it, and found Batchelder with a 
company of stalwart boys, who had already 
made a large slash. 

Lieut. Joseph Batchelder had two daugh- 
ters, of whom Mary or Polly was born in 
Plainfield, July 26, 1795, and was the first 
girl and the second child born in town. 
She married Henry Parker, of Elmore. 
The other daughter, Nabby or Abigail, 
married Joseph Glidden, of Barre. 



PLAINFIELD. 



717 



The Lieutenant's sons were : Nathaniel, 
Isaac, Joseph, Jr., Alpheus, William and 
Josiah. Of these Nathaniel lived for a 
time on Batchelder's pitch, near the Four 
Corners, next to Montpelier. He after- 
wards lived on the spruce flats in East 
Montpelier, but died at Seneca Falls, 
N. Y., in 1843. The late Mark Batchel- 
der and Mrs. Sally McCIure were his chil- 
dren. 

Alpheus lived near his father. Ambrose 
Batchelder, now of Barre, is his grandson. 
Isaac also lived on Batchelder's pitch 
for a time, and had a son, Josiah, 2d, who 
was the father of the late Harvey Batch- 
elder, of Plainfield. 

William forged a note, intending to take 
it up before it became due, but failed to do 
so. He was arrested, and when the offi- 
cers were taking him to Barre, cut his 
throat at Joseph Glidden's, and only lived 
a few days after. I should not have men- 
tioned this, had not the family been so 
numerous that the disgrace if divided 
among them will not be much for each one 
to carry. 

Josiah is said to have been the first man 
in Plainfield who paid taxes on interest 
money. He got thoroughly rid of that in- 
cumbrance, however. He was the " Siah " 
Batchelder who lived and died at Daniel 
Lampson's. 

Joseph Batchelder, Jr., lived for a time 
on that part of Batchelder's pitch after- 
wards owned by Abram Mann. His chil- 
dren were : Alice, wife of Stephen, and 
mother of H. Quincy Perry ; Joseph Batch- 
elder, the 3d ; Nancy, wife of Levi Bart- 
lett; Fanny, wife of Jonathan Blaisdell, of 
Albany ; Abigail, wife of Asa Foster, of 
Marshfield ; Judith, wife of Wm. B. Foss, 
and Elijah A. Joseph, the 3d, was killed by 
his horse running away on the Lampson 
Hill, in 1841. He was living at that time 
on the Ebenezer Freeman place. His 
children were : Elvira (Mrs. Arouette 
Gunnison), Charles T., L. Cheney, Eras- 
tus B., Adeline (Mrs. K. P. Kidder, of 
Burlington), Sewell, killed by accident in 
1856, near the place where his father was, 
Alpheus, Harriet (Mrs. Ira Nichols), and 
Wheeler J. 



The Lieutenant's brother, Moul ton Batch- 
elder, about the year 1795 settled upon 
that portion of Batchelder's pitch now 
owned by the family of Wm. B. Foss. He 
began work upon it in 1794, his family 
living in the Wheaton district in Barre, 
and he, passing to and fro by the guid- 
ance of marked trees. His children were : 
Nathaniel, called the Captain ; James, born 
in Barre, but at his death the oldest resi- 
dent, but not the oldest person in Plain- 
field ; Jeremiah, called Jerry, of Barre ; 
Jonathan M., called Jack, who died on the 
old farm ; Olena, wife of Sewell Sturte- 
vant, the veteran schoolmaster of Plain- 
field and Barre. 

Capt. Nathaniel had three children, 
now residents of Plainfield: Alonzo J., 
Elvira (Mrs. Mack), and Bridgman. 

James had 3 children: James Merrill, 
Daniel, and Mariam, (Mrs. Boyce, of 
Waitsfield.) 

Jonathan's children were : Ira, Harrison, 
Adehne (Mrs. Levi Martin), Susan (Mrs. 
Arthur Colburn), Mary (Mrs. Wheeler), 
and Moulton, now of Lowell, Mass. 

Isaac Washburn had one daughter, Pre- 
cilla, and 4 sons: Isaac, Jr., Miles, Asa 
and Ephraim. 

Isaac, Jr., lived with his father, and 
opened the first tavern in town. It stood 
at the Four Corners, near L. C. Batch- 
elder's present residence, and was a large, 
two-story house, never entirely finished. 

Asa lived north of his fathers, at the 
top of the hill, on the place now owned by 
Nathan Skinner. It was the northern part 
of the Washburn pitch. He married Polly, 
daughter of Esek Howland. 

Miles first .settled on lands of his own in 
1798, when he bought of Esek Howland 
the southern part of lot 3, range 2, where 
he built the first blacksmith shop in town. 
It stood near the angle of the road that 
now leads from Willard Harris' to the 
Barre road. In 1803, he sold this farm 
and built a house and shop in the village, 
on the north bank of the Great Brook, 
near the present tannery. This was the 
first shop in the village. Gamaliel Wash- 
burn, of Montpelier, was his son. Miles 



7il 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



died at New Bedford in 1823. He was for 
many years constable of the town. 

Ephraim built a barn west of his father's, 
towards East Montpelier. He was en- 
gaged to be married to a daughter of 
Esek Howland. To get money to build a 
house, he went to sea, and the ship was 
never heard from. It was supposed to 
have been wrecked, and that all on board 
perished. 

The Washburns were not able to pay 
for their lands twice, perhaps not once, 
and in 181 2, Isaac, Jr., and his father sold 
their farm and went to Lisle, N. Y.,and 
from thence to Indiana, but never again 
possessed much property. Asa Washburn 
followed them soon after. Of the four 
families who commenced the settlement of 
the town, Perkins soon moved away ; but 
some member or members of each of the 
others came to be a public charge. 

Elijah Perry, of Middleboro, Mass., 
bought 100 acres of Batchelder's pitch next 
to lot I, range 3. June, 1823, his daugh- 
ter, Sally, committed suicide by hanging, 
the only suicide ever committed in town. 
He was a brother of Elder James Perry. 
His son Daniel was the father of John 
Perry, of Rosette, wife of Charles T. 
Batchelder, and Harriet, wife of Daniel 
Batchelder. 

The five pitches of the town all lie in its 
south-western corner. The remainder of 
the town was divided by the survey of 
1793 into 9 ranges — the first range lying 
next to Montpelier. Each range is 160 
rods wide excepting the 9th, which is next 
to Goshen Gore, and is about 90 rods 
wide. The first four ranges being short- 
ened by the pitches, contain but 6 lots 
each, lots No. i in these ranges lying next to 
the pitches, their south-western lines are 
irregular. No two lots in town whose 
number is one, are of the same size. In 
range 5 they commence to narrow, until 
in the 9th they come to a point at the 
corner of the town. All the lots adjoin- 
ing Marshfield are no rods wide. 

THE ORIGINAL SETTLERS 

upon each lot in town ; also the present 
owner of a part of the same, not with the 
same, bounds then as now, for the farm of 



Allen Martin was the last one in town, 
sold before 1800, that preserved its bound- 
aries unchanged. 

Lois hi Range i. — No. i was first owned 
by Samuel Nye, of Falmouth, who sold 
the southern portion to Hezekiah Davis. 
It is now owned by Nathaniel M. Clark, 
whose wife is a grand-daughter of Davis. 

Elijah Nye, of Falmouth, Ms,, settled 
upon No. 2. He sold to John Chapman 
in 1808 and moved to Calais. His daugh- 
ter Nabby, born Sept. 28, 1796, was the 
3d child born in town. This lot was di- 
vided into the Thomas VVhittregeor Dennis 
Vincent farm, and the Holmes or Dix farm. 

Lot No. 3 was purchased by John Chap- 
man, of Montpelier. When St. Andrew's 
Gore was incorporated into a town, he 
gave a set of record books to the town to 
have the name changed to Plainfield. He 
was originally from a town of that name. 
The northern part of this lot he sold to 
Benjamin Niles, Jr., father of Albert, and 
grandfather of George Niles. 

The southern part Chapman sold to 
Levi Willey, of Deerfield, Mass. This is 
the lower, or old Ozias Dix farm. 

About 1811, Willey, after a visit to 
Montreal, was taken sick with the small 
pox, of which he died. His attendants 
buried him near the top of the hill, close 
to a large stone near Montpelier line ; then 
killed his dog, and the alarm in time 
abated. 

The southern part of No. 4, now owned 
by Ira Grey, was cleared by Benjamin 
Whipple. He was town representative, 
and held other offices in town, and was 
much respected. He removed to Middle- 
sex, Vt. 

John Mellen cleared portions of lots 4, 
5 and 6, including the meadow now owned 
by Prentiss Shepard ; but he lived on the 
eastern part of these lots, where Willard 
S. Martin now lives. The late John Mellen 
was his son. 

Benjamin Lyon settled in the corner of 
the town, on portions of lots 5 and 6, 
which is now called W. S. Martin's Enoch 
Cate place. 

Range 2 — lot i was nearly obliterated by 
Washburn's pitch, and was never by itself 



PLAINFIELD. 



719 



a farm. Its form is like a Carpenter's 
square, each limb being about 30 rods 
wide and half a mile long. 

Lot 2, now owned by Mrs. Bridgman 
Batchelder, was settled by Thomas Vin- 
cent, of New Bedford, in 1796. He was a 
prominent business man, was the isttown 
clerk, 4 years representative, and became 
the richest man in town. He was a very 
zealous member of the Methodist church. 
He died in 1848, aged 79. 

Lot 3. The southern part was settled 
by Esek Howland, in 1797, who built a 
log-house, but was unable to pay for it, 
and sold the next year to Miles Wash- 
burn. When Harvey Bancroft was fatally 
injured, Howland was with him, and car- 
ried him on his back 100 rods to the house. 
Mrs. William C. Bartlett is his grand- 
daughter. The northern part was settled 
in 1 80 1, by Ebenezer Bennett. He es- 
tablished the first tannery in town, be- 
tween the Ezekiel Skinner house and the 
little rivulet, now often dry, just north of it. 

Lot 4 clearing was begun by Asa Co- 
burn, who sold to John and Thomas 
V^iNCENT, and removed to Cabot, but had 
to pay Allen for it in 1808. John was a 
less active business man than his brother, 
but was much respected, and was 3 years 
representative. His children were : John, 
Dennis, Stephen, of Chelsea, and Desire 
(Mrs. Coolidge Taylor.) 

Lot 5. The south-western part was first 
owned by Chester House, then by Benja- 
min P. Lampson, who built what is now 
S. B. Gale's farm-house. Charles McCloud 
settled upon what was recently Allen 
Martin's farm. His house was in the 
pasture north of Martin's house. This is 
the north-western part of lots 5 and 6. 

Robert Mellen was a brother of the 
first John Mellen. He owned the eastern 
part of lot 6 ; also lot 6 in the 3d range, and 
in fact nearly all of what is now Plainfield 
village. In Sept. 1805, as he was riding 
home from North Montpelier, he fell from 
his horse, near the present residence of 
Alvin Cate, badly injuring his ankle. As 
they were carrying him home on a litter 
made of a straw bed, he said, "You will 
have to bring me back in a few days," and 



they did so, burying him in the graveyard 
there. The Mellens were from the old 
town of Derry, N. H., and they were one 
of the Scotch Irish families who came 
from Londonderry, in Ireland. Robert 
Mellen's house was where the Methodist 
parsonage now is, and his log-house was 
the first house built in the village. 

Range 3 — lot i was first owned by Lieut. 
Joseph Batchelder, but was first settled 
upon by Jonathan White, of Montpelier, 
who afterwards lived in various parts of 
the town. It is now owned by Nathan 
Skinner. 

Lot 2 was first settled by Cornelius 
Young, near where Willard Harris now 
lives. His father, Ebenezer Young, broke 
into a store at North Montpelier, and was 
sent to the state prison at Windsor. 

At the time of the Plattsburg invasion, 
Cornelius borrowed a famous fleet horse of 
Willard Shepard, Esq., and passing every- 
thing on the road, was present at the 
battle. When the British retreated, he 
followed after, and seeing three of them 
leave their horses, he dashed in among 
them, pistols in hand, and compelled the 
whole three to surrender to him alone. 
At least one of them was an officer, and 
his sword, brought home by Young, is 
now in the possession of Dudley Perkins. 

His last days were less glorious. He 
was appointed a custom house officer, and 
had various encounters with smugglers, in 
one of which at Cabot, vitriol was thrown 
upon him, spoiling his clothes, but not 
injuring his person. His ignorance of the 
law caused him to commit some illegal 
acts in the discharge of his duties, and 
the resulting lawsuits ruined him pecun- 
iarily and morally. He removed to the 
State of New Y'ork, and for some felony 
was sent to Clinton prison. 

Lot 3. The south part was first pur- 
chased by Josiah Freeman, and is now 
owned by Elijah A. Batchelder. The north 
part was first leased by James Perry ; now 
by Daniel Batchelder. 

Lot 4 was settled by Dea. Nehemiah 
Mack, whose house was in Ira F. Page's 
pasture, east of his house now occupied 
by his son Dan. Page. Russell Young, 



720 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



brother of Cornelius, owned 45 acres next 
to Lampson's. He went to New York, 
and was drowned in North river when 
trying to escape from the police. 

Lot 5. The western part was settled by 
Joseph Lampson, who was for many 
years constable of the town. He was a 
weaver, a large part of the cotton cloth 
used in town being woven by him. Dan- 
iel and Benjamin P. were his sons ; Mrs. 
James Batchelderand Mrs. Jeremiah Batch- 
elder his daughters. His farm is now 
owned by Charles Bancroft. 

Lot 6 is in the village, and was pur- 
chased of Robert Mellen by Charles 
McCloud, 2d, and mills erected in 1798, 
which were burned the same year, and re- 
built by McCloud. The first framed house 
in the village was built by him, where the 
Methodist church now stands, and is the 
old house back of it now owned by Wm. 
Bartlett. 

The first store was a small one, opened 
by Joseph Kilburn, in 1803 or '4, on the 
Silas Willis place, near the Great Brook. 
The building was owned by Elias Kings- 
ley, the miller, and when sold to Ira Day, 
of Barre, in 1807, there was a kiln for 
making earthen ware between that and 
the brook. The next store was opened by 
Philip Sparrow about 1804, upon the place 
where Andrew Wheatley built the large 
brick store on the north side of the Meth- 
odist church common. 

Silas Williams built and opened the 
first tavern in the village, which is now 
the southern part of S. B. Gale's house. 

Shubael Wales, from Randolph, fath- 
er of George C.Wales, built the first cloth- 
ing works, below the mills, in 1805 or '6. 

Amasa Bancroft, in 1809, built the 
first trip-hammer, south of the Great Brook 
and just above the present tannery. He 
was a son of Lieut. John Bancroft, an of- 
ficer in the Revolution. 

There have been three distilleries in the 
villao-e — one on School street, in Mrs. 
Chamberlain's garden, one on High street, 
inWm. Park's garden, and one east of 
S. B. Gale's house. 

The cemetery in the village was at first 
just S. W. of the railroad station. Among 



those buried there was Parnel. daughter of 
Joseph Lampson. She was the betrothed 
of Geo. Rich, who disliked the place, and 
gave the land for the present cemetery, 
and those interred in the old one were re- 
moved in 1 8 14. 

Range ^ — lot i, was settled by the Free- 
mans, as mentioned. 

Lot 2. Clearing began by John Nye, of 
Falmouth, but first settled upon by Rich- 
ard Kendrick. The eastern part is now 
owned by H. O. Perry; the western by 
Hartwell Skinner and Enos P. Colby's 
estate. 

Lot 3. The southern part was settled 
by David Kinney, and- is now owned by 
Edward Bartlett. The northern part at a 
later date was settled by Jonathan White, 
and is now occupied by Solomon Bartlett. 

Lot 4, now owned by Curtis Bartlett, 
was settled by Willard Shepard, of 
Sharon, about 1796. The first spring he 
had a yoke of oxen and was out of hay. 
He took his oxen and sled, went to the 
Four Corners near Freeman's, thence to 
Montpelier, and up Worcester Branch 2 
miles, where he got a load of Col. Davis. 
By the time he got home nearly one-half 
of it had been shaken and pulled off by the 
bushes, which so disgusted him with that 
business that during his long life he never 
after bought a. load of hay. 

He had a small flock of sheep which he 
kept near the house for safety. One night 
he heard tlie wolves howling, and in the 
morning found they had killed every sheep. 

He took a prominent part in town af- 
fairs, and did a large part of the business 
of justice of the peace. He removed to 
the farm partly in East Montpelier, now 
owned by his son Prentice, where he died. 

Lot 5 is divided by the Great Brook. 
The eastern portion was settled by Nathan 
Jones. The lot is now partly owned by 
N. C. Page and George Huntoon. 

Lot 6, now owned by Orrin Cree, was 
cleared by John Chase, who, unable to 
pay for it the second time, went West, but 
returned and died in Calais. 

Range 5 — lots i and 2, were settled by 
Judge Bradford Kinne, about 1795. 
The northern part he deeded to Philoman 



PLAINFIELD. 



721 



and Stephen Perkins in 1803, but they oc- 
cupied it in 1801. This part is now owned 
by A. Gunnison; the southern by J. Batch- 
elder. Judge Kinne was born in Preston, 
Conn., but moved here from Royalton, 
V't. He was the most prominent man in 
town, and with good advantages might 
have become a distinguished lawyer. The 
story is well known of his defending Fisher 
in the suit of Cairnes v. Fisher, for assault, 
at the Caledonia County Court, where he 
directed his client to cry, when he himself 
did. Kinne made a pathetic appeal to the 
jury in favor of his client, who was a poor 
man, assuring them that "every dollar 
they took from him, they took from the 
moutiis of babes and sucklings," at which 
dismal prospect Kinne burst into tears, 
and was followed by such a tremendous 
boo-hoo from Fisher, that the damages 
were assessed at a trifling sum, although 
the assault was a severe one. He re- 
moved on to the Washburn pitch in 18 12, 
where he died in 1828, aged 64. Brad- 
ford Kinne Pierce, the distinguished Meth- 
odist clergyman, is his grandson. 

Lot 3 was settled by James Perry. He 
was one of the first deacons of the Con- 
gregational church, but became a Metho- 
dist preacher. His farm is now owned by 
his grandson, Daniel A. Perry. The 
northern part of this lot was settled by Ja- 
cob Perkins, about 1799. ^^ is now owned 
by Emmons Taft, who married his daugh- 
ter. 

Capt. Jonathan Kinne was born in 
Preston, Conn., where he married, and mov- 
ed to Bethel, Vt. He lived there 10 years. 
.1 1793, he commenced clearing lot No. 
4, living in a shanty through the week and 
going to Seth Freeman's on Sundays. He 
lived thus for two summers, and built a 
framed house in 1794, the first in town, 
which stood nearly opposite to H. Q. 
Perry's present residence. He moved his 
family here in Feb., 1795. The death of 
their little boy, Justus, Mar. 6, 1796, was 
the first death in town. He was the first 
minister in town, and preached for the 
Congregational church many years. He 
died at Berlin, in 1838. His son, Dea. 
Justus Kinney, lives upon this farm. 



No. 5, is lease land. The southern 50 
acres was leased by Dea. George Ayers, 
who was the progenitor of all of that fami- 
ly in this town. This place is now occu- 
pied by Ira Stone. The middle 50 acres 
of this lot was first leased by Elder James 
Perry's son, Elijah. The northern 50 acres 
was leased by Aaron Whittlesey. The 
last two portions are now leased by Levi 
Bartlett"s estate. 

Lot 6 is lease land. The eastern por- 
tion was first leased by John Moore, now 
by Hiram G. Moore. The western portion 
was first leased by Levi Bartlett, now in 
part by Lee Batchelder. 

The southern 100 acres of lot 7 was 
settled by Asa Bancroft, of Warmouth, 
Mass., about 1797. About the year 1801, 
as he and his wife were coming home, one 
evening, from Jeremy Stone's the wolves 
began to assemble in their rear. His wife 
was on a horse carrying their infant son, 
Tyler. They hurried on as fast as possi- 
ble, but the wolves came so near, that they 
abandoned to them a piece of fresh meat 
that Mrs. Stone had given them, and 
reached home safely, the wolves howling 
about the house as soon as they entered 
it. Mr; Bancroft was frequently elected 
to town offices, and died in 1856, aged 87. 
His children were, Tyler, William, John, 
Eunice (Mrs. Ira F. Page) and Mrs. Reu- 
ben Huntoon. When it began to be ru- 
mored that the settlers' titles were not 
good, he went to Jacob Davis', who gave 
him security on other property, and sent 
word by him to the other settlers, that if 
they were frightened he would secure them. 
This quieted their fears, and only one or 
two went. 

No. 8 was settled by John Moore. 
His son, Heman Allen Moore, born here, 
was elected a representative to congress 
from Ohio, in 1844, but died the next year. 
Wm. Huntoon now owns this farm. 

Range 6, lots i, 2 and 3, were settled 
by Joseph Nye, of Falmouth, Mass. 
Several members of this family settled in 
Plainfield, or owned land in it. They 
were of Welch descent, and when they first 
came to Falmouth wrote their name Noye. 
Joseph Nye was representative 5 years, 



91 



72: 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



justice of the peace a long time, &c. His 
son, Vinal, died many years since, leaving 
several children, Irving, George, Alanson, 
and Mary, wife of Edward Bartlett. Jo- 
seph's daughter, Sally, married Nathaniel 
Townshend, Cynthia, Daniel Gunnison, 
Augusta, Elijah A. Batchelder. Lots i 
and 2 are mostly owned b)- Dudley 13. 
Smith. Seth F. Page lives upon No. 3. 

No. 4 was settled by Elder James Ferry's 
son Stephen, in 1818, who built the plas- 
tered house standing upon it, now owned 
by Alba F. Marty n. 

No. 5, the southern part now owned by 
A. F. Martyn, was settled by Joseph F. 
Ayers, who moved to Thetford, and thence 
to Manchester, N. H. The northern part, 
now owned by Nathaniel Townsend, was 
settled by Gideon Huntington, father of 
Amasa, and of Mrs. Leonard Moore, and 
uncle to David and Samuel Huntington, 
of Marshfield. 

No. 6 was settled by Frank Crane and 
Joseph Deering. It is now mostly owned 
by N. Townsend. 

Harvey Bancroft, from Ware, now 
Auburn, Mass., settled upon lot 7, in the 
6th range, part of lot 7 in the 7th range, 
and a part of lot 6 in the 8th range, next 
to the Bancroft pond. He was clerk under 
the attempted organization of St. An- 
drews Gore as a town. His house was 
opposite to the burying - ground near 
Newcomb Kinney's. While clearing some 
land, about 20 rods easterly of Benjamin 
F. Moor's present residence, he fell a tree 
upon a small one, which fell across another. 
The small one flew up striking him on the 
chest. He died July 8, 1797, a few days 
after the injury, aged 27. He left a wife 
and two small children. One died young, 
the other was Dr. Nathaniel Bancroft. 
His widow, Polly Carrol, married Sanford 
Kinne, a brother of Jonathan and of Brad- 
ford Kinne. Sanford purchased nearly all 
the land formerly owned by Harvey Ban- 
croft, but upon the death of his wife, in 
1 8 14, he went West, and his fate is un- 
known. Newcomb Kinney is his son. 

No. 8 was settled by Ezra Bancroft, 
father of Horace Bancroft, now of Barre, 
but it was first owned by his brother, 



Aaron, of Boston. It is now occupied by 
Duron Norcross. 

Raiigc 7, lots I, 2, 3 and 4, were pur- 
chased of Davis by Enos Colby, of Hawk, 
N. H. He made a clearing and built a 
house in 1800, some fourth of a mile west 
of the Great Brook, on land now owned 
by C. H. Heath. He stayed in it one 
night, and then went back to N. H., leav- 
ing it in care of Moulton Batchelder. One 
Currier without leave moved into the 
house, and was sued oft" by Heman Allen, 
who found when too late that Currier was 
not holding under Colby, who thereby got 
it by possession against Allen. Lots i 
and 2 are now mostly owned by his grand- 
son, Moses Colby. No. i is only 20 rods 
wide ; 3 and 4 are partly owned by Henry 
Camp, whose wife is Colby's grand- 
daughter. 

Lot 5 is mostly lease land, and portions 
of it were rented to Eli Boyd, Isaac Perry, 
James Perry, Jr., and the N. E. corner 
next to Moses Bancroft's was sold to 
Patrick R^ed. It is now leased to Nathan 
Hill, Seneca S. Bemis and Lyman Moore. 

No. 6 was probably first owned by 
Harvey Bancroft. It was on the north- 
east corner of this lot that he was at work 
when fatally injured. It is now owned by 
Joel Sherburn, Baxter Bancroft and Henry 
Moore. 

No. 7 was first owned by Harvey Ban- 
croft and Charles Bancroft. Lee Martin's 
farm is a part of it. 

No. 8 was settled by Zopher Sturte- 
VANT, of Worcester, Mass. He was per- 
suaded by his friend Harvey Bancroft to 
come up and buy a farm next to him. He 
returned to Mass. to earn money to pay 
for it, and while there heard of Bancroft's 
death. Sewell Sturtevant was hisson. It 
is now occupied by Newcomb Kinney. 

Range 8 — lots i and 2, were purchased 
and settled by Stephen Perkins, who 
built a saw-mill in i8i2-'i3. He also had 
one set of mill-stones. In the summer of 
1S57, the banks by the side of the dam 
gave way, and the pond of about 7 acres 
was discharged in a short time, carrying 
off" every bridge on the Great Brook. It 
was repaired, but gave way again before 



PLAINFIELD. 



723 



the pond was quite filled. It was again 
repaired more thoroughly, and held until 
a heavy rain in the spring of 1869 carried 
off the new dam and all the bridges below. 
It was repaired, and when the pond was 
about half filled it burst through the quick- 
sands under the dam, and no more efforts 
to repair it were made. R. L. Martin then 
put in a steam-mill, which was burned in 
1871, and he removed the remains of it to 
Harris Gore. Dudley Perkins and Silas 
Worthen occupy portions of these lots. 

No. 3 was settled by Ralph Chamber- 
lain, of Hanover, N. H., and is now owned 
by his grandson, Jeremy Stone Chamber- 
lain. Plainfield Sulphur Springs are on 
this lot. 

No. 4 was settled by David Benedict, 
of Randolph, who sold the southern part, 
now owned by Scott and Smith, to Amasa 
Bancroft, and the northern part, now 
owned by Goodrich, to Robert Carson. 
Feb. 29, 1 8 16, an old house on this lot, 
occupied by Moses Reed, and used for a 
school-house, caught fire, and a little son 
of Reed was burned to death. David, 
Patrick and Woodman Reed were his 
sons ; Joanna (Mrs. William Parks) his 
daughter. 

No. 5 was settled by Charles R. Wool- 
son, who sold the northern part to his 
wife's father, Moses Bancroft, of Ward, 
Mass., in Nov. 1796. Woolson was not 
able or willing to pay for his land the sec- 
ond time, and removed to New York, 
where he became rich. His son Ephraim 
getting homesick, returned, and bought 
back the old farm, on which he died. It 
is now owned by Erastus Batchelder. 
Mary, wife of S. O. Goodrich, and Sarah, 
wife of Joseph Lane, are Ephraim's daugh- 
ters. 

Moses Bancroft had 4 sons : John, 
Charles,. Chester and Baxter. John had 
2 sons: Lewis, of Calais, and Preston, of 
Marshfield. Charles had a son Charles, 
and Mrs. Wm. Skinner and Mrs. Lewis 
Wood are his daughters. Baxter had but 
one child, Moses. 

Baxter has resided in Plainfield longer 
than any other person — 84 years. He says 
that as late as Oct. 1804, neither his father 



nor any of the neighbors had chimneys to 
their houses. Stones were laid up into 
some form of a chimney for a few feet, and 
the smoke allowed to go out, if it would, 
through a hole in the roof. The roof for 
years was made of large pieces of elm 
bark, tied on with strings of the same. 
Sometimes a storm in the night would 
blow off these pieces, and his father would 
get up and tie them on again. It would 
often get on fire, and once the house 
burned down. 

One summer they had nothing to eat but 
milk for a long time, until Willard Shep- 
hard gave them a bushel of rye very badly 
sprouted, but some of this ground and 
cooked tasted the best of anything he 
ever ate. 

The senior Moses had a brother, Lieut. 
John Bancroft, a Revolutionary soldier, 
who began a clearing on Prentice Shep- 
hard's farm (lot 5, range i), but soon re- 
moved to the village. Amasa Bancroft 
was his .son. C. Watrous and Carlos Ban- 
croft, of Montpelier, were his sons. 

No. 6 contains the Bancroft Pond, and 
was purchased by Harvey Bancroft. 

No. 7 was settled by Charles Bancroft, 
and is now owned by Gardner Heath. 

No. 8 is mostly a swami?. 

i\aiige 9. Lot I is no rods long, and 
7 rods wide at one end, and a point at the 
other. It was never sold by the original 
proprietors. 

No. 2 was a part of Stephen Perkins" 
purchase, and is now owned by his grand- 
son, Emory F. Perkins. 

No. 3 was settled by David Reed, of 
Hanover, N. H., in 1809, and is now own- 
ed by David Perkins. 

David Reed and Ralph Chamberlain 
married sisters of Israel Goodwin, who 
lived many years in this town, but remov- 
ed to East Montpelier. T. Goodwin 
Reed is David's son. 

No. 4, now owned by Erastus Batchel- 
der, was settled in 1796, by James Bout- 
well, of Barre, a relative of Col. Levi 
Boutwell, of Montpelier. 

Oct. 9, 1804, snow fell to a great depth, 
some 3 or 4 feet. One Richardson, of 
Orange, started a bear out of his corn- 



724 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



field, and followed it to Capt. BoutwelPs 
and returned. Boutvvell, Robert Carson, 
and Jeremy Stone, pursued it to the round 
mountain, north or east of Pigeon pond, 
where they treed her. Boutwell fired, 
wounding it in the neck, it ran by Carson 
who fired and missed. Stone followed 
after with an ax, having no gun, setting on 
the dogs. Stone soon saw the bear re- 
turning, perhaps to defend her cubs, and 
got upon a rock, and when the bear at- 
tempted to get on, tried to split its head 
open with the ax, but the bear instandy 
knocked it from his hand, mounted the 
rock, pushed Stone off from it into the 
snow, and then over on to his back, 
getting top of him. Stone put up his hand 
to push its head away from his, when his 
litde finger went into the bear's mouth, 
which began to chew it. At this moment, 
Boutvvell, who had reloaded and come up, 
fired, the bear's head being only a few 
inches from Stone's, and bruin fell dead. 

Another time Boutwell went up on to 
the high, round topped hill north-east of 
his house, after partridges. He found a 
bear up a tree. His gun was loaded with 
shot and he had no ball. He drawed the 
shot and whittled a beach plug, with the 
end pointed, and loaded with this. The 
first shot had no effect, but the second 
killed the bear. 

He was captain of the first militia com- 



when the dog, probably thinking that it 
was not Sunday after all, followed. Bout- 
well was justly punished for his duplicity 
by not getting the bear. The dog after- 
ward followed a deer into the woods, and 
was never seen again. 

Lot 5 was first purchased of Heman 
Allen by Eathan Powers, who hired men 
to cut and burn wood for the ashes. Syl- 
vester Grinnel, a quaker, first resided up- 
on it. 

Lot 6 was settled by Moses. Bancroft's 
son, John. Charles Morse owns a portion 
of it. 

No. 7 was settled by Jeremy Stone, of 
Ward, Mass., in 1796. He chose this 
place because he expected it would be near 
a good road. The legislature, in 1797, 
appointed a committee to work a road from 
Chelsea court house to Danville court 
house. This committee reported to the 
county court at Chelsea, in 1799, that they 
had built the road through Washington 
and Orange. A little work was done on it 
in Goshen gore, near Plainfield line, and 
the work abandoned. Ira Stone, Rev. 
Jesse Stone of Maine, and Jeremy Stone 
are his sons ; Mrs. Hial P. Chamberlain 
and Mrs. Marian Stone Tarbell, his daugh- 
ters. His farm is now owned by Ira Rob- 
inson. 

Lot 8 was settled by Daniel Rice, of 
Barre, in 1825. Dudley Marshall now re- 



pany in town ; was one of the selectmen sides upon it. 



from 1799, until his death, in 1813, of 
typhoid fever, at that time very prevalent 
and fatal. He was a man whose character 
was almost above reproach ; but his dog 
was even more strict in his faith and prac- 
tice than his master. The dog had learn- 
ed to observe the Sabbath, as intelligent 
dogs in Christian families often do, and 
never attempted to follow his master on 
that day. Once when Boutwell was on 
his way to church, he met a party in pur- 
.suit of a bear, and they wished for the 
dog, which was a famous hunter. Bout- 
well went back with them to the house, 
and ordered the dog to follow them, but it 
refused. He called it to follow him, but 
it would not. He then took off his Sun- 
day clothes and put a gun on his shoulder. 



According to Thompson's Gazetteer, the 
town was organized Apr. 4, 1796, under 
the name of St. Andrew's gore, and Har- 
vey Bancroft elected town clerk. This is 
probably true, but it was illegal, a gore 
not having the power to form a town or- 
ganization. Nov. 6, 1797, the gore was 
incorporated into a town by the name of 
Plainfield, and the town meeting held at 
James Perry's, in Mar., 1798,15 the first of 
which there is now any record, but was not 
the first, because called by Joshua Law- 
rence, James Perry, Moulton Batchelder, 
as, selectmen of Plainfield. At this meet- 
ing, Thomas Vincent was elected town 
clerk. Town meetings after this were held 
at Capt. Jonathan Kinne's until 1823, 
when they were held in the village. 



PLAINFIELD. 



725 



In 1798, '99 and 1800, the road tax vo- 
ted was 4 days work for each poll. In 

1798, the General Assembly, at the request 
of the town, voted a tax of one cent per 
acre, which was to be used to build roads. 
In 1807, another of three cents per acre 
was laid upon Plainfield. At that time, 
improved lands were listed at $1.75 per 
acre, unimproved not at all. Polls at $20, 
a yoke of oxen $10, houses worth less than 
$1000, 2 per cent, over $1000, 3 per cent. 
Interest money 6 per cent. 

The first road in town was worked from 
Seth Freeman's north westerly to Hezekiah 
Davis' in Montpelier, as early as 1794, but 
no highways were laid out until June, 

1799, when this and several others were 
laid. 

In 1798 and 99, the town sent no repre- 
sentative, probably because a town with a 
grand list of less than $3,200 was not 
" doomed" to pay a state tax, if it sent no 
representative. 

Thomas Vincent was a federalist. All 
the other representatives were republicans, 
until the reorganization of the parties 
under Jackson and Adams. After that 
they were all democrats except John Vin- 
cent, antimason, until the formation of the 
antislavery party, which elected D. A. 
Perry. Frank Hall was the only whig. 

In Sept. 1801, Isaac Tichenor received 
10 votes for governor — all that were cast. 
In 1802, Isaac Tichenor had 25, Jonas 
Galusha 23, which was the largest vote 
cast for several years. 

PHYSICIANS. 

The first physician in town was Am- 
herst Simons, from Windham, Ct. He 
studied with Dr. Glysson, of Williams- 
town, and came to Plainfield in iSor. 
For many of the last years of his life he 
was blind. 

Dr. Ebenezer Conant studied with 
Dr. Robert Paddock, of Barre, and came 
to Plainfield in 1809. In 1832 he remov- 
ed into Marshfield, about 2 miles from 
Plainfield village, near Perkins' mill, but 
returned to Plainfield after a few years, 
where he died. 

Dr. Nathaniel Bancroft was brought 
to Plainfield by his father, Harvey Ban- 



croft, from Ward, Mass., when an infant. 
When 12 years old he went to Montpelier, 
where he attended school, and at last stud- 
ied medicine with Dr. Lamb. About 1822, 
he came to Plainfield to practice, where he 
remained until 1851, when he went to 
Ohio, where he stayed 2 years, thence to 
I5elvidere, 111. His pungent and witty 
sayings are still often quoted by his old 
friends in Plainfield. 

Dr. Daniel Kellogg came to Plain- 
field in 1834, and built the brick house 
east of the hotel. His health failing he 
removed to Berlin in 1836, where he soon 
died. 

Dr. Jared Bassett came to Plainfield 
in 1839, ^"d removed to Northfield in 
1843, and thence to Chicago. 

Dr. Daniel Bates was here from 1845 
to 1851. 

Dr. Stephen Bennett from 1851 to 
1856, when he removed to Ohio. 

Dr. Phineas Kellogg, of Brookfield, 
commenced practice here in 185 1. He 
died of diphtheria Apr. 10, 1862, age 39. 

Dr. Walter S. Vincent, of Chelsea, 
now of Burlington, had his residence here 
for several years, but a large part of the 
time he was surgeon in the Union army in 
the war of the rebellion. 

Dr. Dudley B. Smith, of Williams- 
town, came to Plainfield in 1856, and Dr. 
W. F. L.'VZELL, of Brookfield, came in the 
fall of 1867. They remain here now. 
lawyers. 

The first lawyer in town was Charles 
ROBY, who came about the year 1812 — 
not long after the result of the Allen law- 
suit had put a mortgage on nearly every 
farm in town. Probably the people had 
no desire or money for any more lawsuits 
at that time, as he left soon. 

In 1828, AzEL Spalding, of Montpe- 
lier, now of Kansas, was here one year. 

In 1833, Sylvester Eaton, of Calais, 
came and stayed until 1838. 

Stillman H. Curtis was here from 
1838 to 1843. 

J. A. Wing was here from 1836 to 1852. 
when he went on to his farm on Maple 
Hill, in Marshfield, where he stayed about 



726 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



3 years, then moved to Plainfield, and 
from here to Montpelier in 1S57. 

In 1S43 Lewis Chamberlain came. 
He died in Aug. 1863, of dysentery, which 
was very prevalent and fatal at that time, 
there being 18 deaths from that disease, 16 
of which were within or near the village. 

Charles H. Heath came here in 1859, 
and removed to Montpelier in 1872. 

S. C. Shurtleff commenced the prac- 
tice of law here in 1864, and removed to 
Montpelier in 1877. 

O. L. HoYT came here in 1873, and 
still remains. 

the first church 
was organized Nov. 13, 1799, at Jonathan 
Kinne's, under the name of 

the church of CHRIST IN PLAINFIELD. 

The council called to organize this 
church was composed of Rev. Richard 
Ransom of Woodstock, Rev. John Ran- 
som of Rochester, Rev. James Hobart of 
Berlin, Dea. William Wood of Wood- 
stock, Capt. Peter Salter of Orange. Dea. 
Judah Willey, Henry Taft and Joseph 
Sterling, of Barre, were invited to join the 
council. The members embodied into a 
church were only six : Capt. Jonathan 
Kinne, James Perry, James Boutwell, Mrs. 
Esther Perry, Deborah Boutwell, Judith 
Batchelder. Others joined soon after. 
In June, 1801, they passed this vote : 

" Whereas some members of the church 
are dissatisfied with the articles of faith, 
Therefore, Voted that the aggrieved mem- 
bers have liberty to select such articles as 
they are satisfied with, which when select- 
ed shall be considered the church articles 
of faith, not to prevent any from believing 
them as they now are.'' 

This compromise did not prevent the 
Methodist portion of the church from 
seceding in June, 1802, and forming anoth- 
er church. Those who left to join the 
Methodist were, Dea. James Perry, Esther 
Perry, Bradford Kinne, Ebenezer Free- 
man, Esther Freeman, John Chase, and 
Richard Kendrick. Those who remained 
with the original church were, Dea. Nehe- 
miah Mack, Moses Bancroft, Sally Ban- 
croft, James Boutwell, Deborah Boutwell, 
Jonathan Kinne, Lydia Kinne, Sanford 



Kinne, Polly Kinne, Zopher Sturtevant, 
Polly Sturtevant, David Bancroft. 

The same year Charles R. Woolson 
was unanimously expelled from the church 
for " neglect of family prayer, and public 
worship on Sunday and church meetings." 
Moulton Batchelder having joined the 
Methodists, on Sunday, Jan. 22, 1816, the 
following sentence of excommunication 
was read before the assembled congrega- 
tion : 

" Whereas our brother, Moulton Batch- 
elder, has violated his solemn covenant 
obligations by neglecting the stated meet- 
ings of the church on the Sabbath and at 
other times, and going after, as we think, 
false teachers, and embracing dangerous 
errors and sentiments, derogatory to the 
character of an infinitely wise and holy 
God, We now, under the pressing obliga- 
tion of duty we owe to our Lord and Sav- 
ior Jesus Christ, have undertaken this 
painful and bitter labor, and we hope in 
faithfulness and prayer, but without suc- 
cess. Therefore, according to the rule of 
Christ's family, we are under the painful 
necessity of saying unto you, and that in 
this public manner, that for these reasons, 
the door of our fellowship and commun- 
ion is closed against you, and you are no 
longer to be considered of this church and 
body ; but as an unprofitable branch, and 
therefore are now severed from this body. 
It is our humble prayer, that God will 
bless this our unpleasant, but plain duty 
to you, and open your understanding that 
you may see your error, and give you re- 
pentance, that you may enjoy his favor at 
last, and be gathered with all of the re- 
deemed from among men, to inhabit the 
new Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ is the 
joy and the light thereof.'" 

I do not give these facts to increase the 
self-complacency of those at the present 
time, who are inclined to plume themselves 
upon their own superior liberality, and 
tolerance of difterences of opinions. Such 
should consider, that people who thought 
their peculiar tenets of such vital impor- 
tance, that they incurred the dangers and 
hardships of a settlement in New England 
to establish them, could not be expected 
to see the result of their labors impaired or 
destroyed, with indifterence or equanimity. 

Jonathan Kinne preached to the church 
until 1826; but was not ordained because 
he disbelieved in infant baptism. 



PLAINFIELD. 



727- 



Nathaniel Hurd was the acting pastor in 
1826. [For his biography see Tinmouth, 
vol. III.] He was succeeded by John F. 
Stone. 

In 1829, Joseph Thatcher became the 
first settled minister. He removed to 
Barre in 1834, and was succeeded by Mr. 
Hadley in 1836, by John Orr in 1839, Sam- 
uel Marsh in 1842, Calvin Grangerin 1846, 
and A. S. Swift in 1849, — none of whom 
were settled ministers, however. 

Rev. Joel Fisk was .settled as pastor in 
May, 1855, and died Dec. 16, 1856. Soon 
after Rev. Horace Herrick became acting 
pastor, who was succeeded in 1861, by 
Rev. C. M. Winch, who remained until 
Nov., 1868, when he was succeeded by 
Horace Pratt, who removed in 1871. 

After an interval of nearly 2 years, 
Charles Redfield became acting pastor, 
and in 1877, C. E. Ferrin was settled, 
and remained until his death, in 1881. 

The deacons have been James Perry, 
Nehemiah Mack, George Ayers, Dan. 
Storrs, Justus Kinney, Emmons Taft. 

Their first meeting-house was built in 
1819, the second, on the same site, in 
1854. Until the building of a church their 
meetings were usually held at the dwelling 
house of Jonathan Kinne. 

THE METHODIST CHURCH 

has no early records in Plainfield, and I 
am obliged to glean this account from va- 
rious sources. The first Methodist ser- 
mon preached in Plainfield was by the 
Rev. Nicholas Sneathen- or " Suethen," 
as his family write it — a very able man, 
who was chaplain of Congress in 1812. He 
came to Seth Freeman's, made known his 
name and occupation, and succeeded in 
attaching nearly all of the people in the 
southern part of the town to the Methodist 
church, including Dea. James Perry, who 
afterwards became a Methodist preacher, 
the first probably that resided in town. 

A church was organized in 1801, or '2. 
It formed a part of Barre circuit. The 
first Methodist minister stationed at Plain- 
field that I can learn of was David Kil- 
burn, who was here in 1812 and 1825. 

Rev. Thomas C. Pierce, who was mar- 
ried to Judge Kinne's daughter, Sally, 



lived upon the Asa Washburn place ii-j 
1820. This, with 15 acres of land, was 
given to the Methodist church for a par- 
sonage by Judge Kinne. It was after- 
wards sold and the parsonage in the vil- 
lage bought. 

Rev. John Lord was stationed here in 

1823; Harvey in 1827, '28; R. H. 

Deming, '30, '31 ; John Nason, '^^^ *34; 
N. Stone, '35; David Wilcox, '36, '37; 
Jacob Boyce, '38; Daniel Field, '39; J. L. 
Slason, '40: John W. Wheeler, '41 ; Rich- 
ard Newell,. '42, '43; Otis M. Legate, '44; 
H. P. Gushing, '45, '46; J. W. Perkins, 
'47, '48 ; Homer T. Jones, '49, '50 ; Mul- 
fred Bullard, '51 ; Peter Merrill, '52, '53; 
Alonzo Hitchcock, '54, '55, '62, '6^ ; W. J. 
Kidder, "56, '57 ; Edmund Copeland, '58, 
'59, '69, 70 ; P. P. Ray, '60, '61 ; Joshua 
Gill, '64, '65 ; S. B. Currier, '66, '67 ; Andes 
T. Bullard, '68; Thomas Trevillian, '71; 
Joseph Hamilton, '72, ''72, '74; Joseph O. 
Sherburn, '75, '76; W. H. Dean, 'jj, '78; 
Elihu Snow, '79, '80, '81. 

Before the erection of a church their 
meetings were usually held at Elder James 
Perry's, or at Lieut. Joseph Batchelder's. 
In 18 19 a house was built for the Metho- 
dist society in the village, with an agree- 
ment that when they had no preacher, 
"any other Christian denomination, such 
as Calvinists, Anti- Baptists, Freewill Bap- 
tists, Friends, so called, Universalists, etc., 
who had a preacher, might occupy it." 

The following is a list of the contrib- 
utors to the building of this church : 

Thomas Vincent, $100 ; Moulton Batch- 
elder, $100; Harvey Pitkin, $75; John 
Vincent, $60 ; Seth Cook, $50 ; Bradford 
Kinne, $50 ; Amherst Simons, $50 ; Seth 
Freeman, $50 ; Asa Bancroft, $30 ; Eben 
Dodge, Jr., $25 ; John Moors, $25 ; Eben- 
ezer Lyon, $25 ; Matthew Jack, $25 ; Na- 
than Freeman, $25 ; Benjamin F. Lamp- 
son, $25 ; Laomi Cree,''$25 ; Enoch Gate, 
$25 ; Ebenezer Freeman, $20 ; Samuel Wil- 
son, Jr., $20; Benjamin Whipple, $20; 
Earl Gate, $15; James Batchelder, $15 ; 
Joseph P. Page, $12 ; William Moors, $10 ; 
Friend M. Morse, $10; Solomon Bartlett, 
$10 ; Duron Whittlesey, $10 ; Andrew Jack, 
$10; Nehemiah Mack, Jr.. $5; Charles 



728 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Patterson, $5 ; Allen Martin, $5 ; Eben 
Martin, $5 ; Richard Kendrick, $3 ; Elisha 
Mack, $2; total, $947. $100 was paid for 
the site, leaving the cost of the house 
about $850. 

In 1852, this was sold to the Baptists 
and removed, and another built at a cost 
of a little less than $1,600. 

The Vermont Annual Conference was 
held at Plainfield in 1855, Bishop Edward 
R. Ames presiding. 

The present number in full member- 
ship, 132 ; probationers, 14. 

FROM REV. J. R. HARTLETT, OF BARRE. 

Rev. Nicholas Snethen, who is men- 
tioned as the first Methodist preacher who 
visited Plainfield, was the pioneer Metho- 
dist preacher in this State. His appoint- 
ment to Vermont was in 1796, and as he 
labored in this State but one year, it must 
have been at that time that he appeared in 
Plainfield. The records of " Vershire cir- 
cuit," which was the name of the appoint- 
ment in the earliest days, are probably not 
now in existence; but those of " Barre 
circuit," formed in 1S04, are still preserv- 
ed, and state that the first "quarterly 
meeting" for Barre circuit was held in 
Plainfield, Aug. 4th and 5th, 1864, and in 
Plainfield a little later. The records give 
Bradford Kinne, Richard Kendrick and 
Ebenezer Freeman as leaders, 17, 16 and 
II members, respectively, and four "on 
trial." Mr. Kinne was also a local preach- 
er, and a very active man in the church, 
and the Rev. Bradford Kinne Pierce, D. D., 
now the editor oi ZioiCs Herald, published 
in Boston, was named for him, being the 
son of Rev. Thomas C. Pierce, and there- 
fore the grandson of Mr. Kinne, who is 
mentioned in the foregoing sketch as 
" Judge " Kinne. 

This town was included in Barre circuit 
until 1838, and hence was visited by the 
appointees to that circuit at stated inter- 
vals as a regular preaching place. The 
names given in the foregoing sketch as 
Methodist preachers stationed here, are, 
in several instances at least, of appointees 
to Barre circuit, there being each year 
two or three such appointees, and one of 



them usually resident at Plainfield. On 
and after the conference of 1838, this sta- 
tion lost its identity with Barre circuit, 
and the preachers were appointed directly 
to Plainfield. The complete list of Meth- 
odist preachers on Vershire circuit to 1804, 
and on Barre circuit from that time to 1838, 
may be found in the history of Barre. 
The condition of this church has been par- 
ticularl}- prosperous during the last three 
years, about one-third of its present mem- 
bership having been added during that 
time. 

Barre, Feb. 3, 1882. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized Oct. 17, 1809, at the school- 
house near Dea. James Perry's (South 
district.) The members were: James 
Boutwell and wife, who withdrew from the 
Congregationalist church for that purpose, 
Jacob Perkins, Stephen Perkins and his 
wife Nancy, John Bancroft and his wife 
Phoebe. Elder Jabez Cottle and Elder 
Elijah Huntington were the clergymen 
present. 

At the next meeting Philip Wheeler 
made a profession of religion, and joined 
the church . He became pastor afterwards, 
living near the center of Montpelier, but 
in 1826, sold his farm, and a house was 
built for him near the Plainfield Springs. 
In a few years after this, Stephen Perkins 
refused to commune, for the reason that 
Elder Wheeler had said that " he would 
not baptize a person that he knew intend- 
ed to join another church." Soon after 
this, he and his brother Jonathan with- 
drew from the church. The result of this 
dissension was, that Elder Wheeler soon 
closed his pastoral labor with this church, 
and removed into Marshfield, one half 
mile east of Plainfield village, where he 
died. 

After Elder Wheeler's dismissal, they 
were supplied at intervals by different cler- 
gymen, none of them living in town e.x- 
cept Rev. Friend Blood. 

In 1852, the Baptist churches in Plain- 
field and Marshfield united, and Abraham 
Bedel became their pastor, residing in 
Plainfield. The Methodist church was 
purchased, removed and repaired. Mr. 



PLAINFIELD. 



729 



Bedel was succeeded in 1858 by Mr. Kel- 
ton, he in 1859 by S. A. Blake, and 
he in i860 by N. W. Smith, who removed 
in 1862. After that they had only occa- 
sional preaching, and in 1871 their church 
was sold and converted into stores. 

THE RESTORATIONIST SOCIETY 

was organized in 1820, but had only occa- 
sional preaching until in 1840, Rev. L. H. 
Tabor came to Plainfield, and a church 
was erected costing $1,770 above the 
foundations, exclusive of furniture and the 
bell, the whole amounting to about $2,300. 

Mr. Tabor remained 3 years only. The 
pulpit was afterwards supplied a part of 
the time by Mark M. Powers, of Washing- 
ton, and Rufus S. Sanborn, of Barre. 
They were succeeded in 1854 by William 
Sias, who remained one or two years. 

Rev. Joseph Sargent resided here in 
1858 and 1859, Rev. Thomas Walton in 
i860 and 1861, after which they had no 
stated preaching until in 1872, Rev. Les- 
ter Warren commenced to preach one half 
of the time. He was succeeded by Rev. 
George Forbes the next year. In 1876 L. 
S. Crossly removed here, and remained 
one year, since which they have been sup- 
plied a part of the time by non-resident 
preachers. 

SCHOOLS. 

In 1787, the General Assembly enacted 
a school law that authorized towns and 
school districts to build school-houses and 
support schools by a tax on the grand list. 
A majority of a town might do this, but it 
required a two-thirds vote of a school dis- 
trict, and neither a town or school district 
could tax the property of non-residents for 
this purpose. This law provided that 
schools might be supported by subscrip- 
tion, and the district collector had the 
same power and duties in collecting a sub- 
scription that he had in collecting a tax. 

In 1803, Plainfield was divided into 5 
school districts. The town never voted a 
tax for schools, and probably none of the 
districts did for several years. The north- 
west, or village, district schools were sup- 
ported by subscription until 1809. They 
commenced to build a school-house in 
1803, finishing it in 1804. It stood just 



east of the present hotel, in James Martin's 
garden. This was the first built in town, 
and was paidforby a tax, one-third payable 
in money and two-thirds in wheat. This 
house having been burned in the winter of 
1806-7, another was built in 1807, over 
by the present residence of Geo. C. Wales, 
near the railroad bridge. In 1826, this 
district formed a unison with an adjoining 
district in Marshfield, and a school-house 
was built near Marshfield line north of the 
river. In 1866, this district built another 
school-house near the old one, at a cost of 
$6,000, exclusive of the site. 

The South, or Freeman, district did not 
have the first school-house in town ; but 
they had the first school-house quarrel. It 
had been decided to build a school-house 
at the Four Corners, east of Seth Free- 
man's, to which the Freemans were op- 
posed. The boys of Elder James Perry 
and of Philemon Perkins, and others, made 
arrangements to raise it secretly at mid- 
night. The Freemans learned of the plot, 
and appeared to help uninvited ; but they 
spelled the word raze. The result was, 
nothing was done at that time, but after- 
wards, in the fall of 1805, the house was 
built there. 

Plainfield village is at the extreme north- 
ern part of the town, and as incorporated 
in 1867, includes a portion of the town of 
Marshfield. In 18 12, it contained about a 
dozen families, in 1881 about 80. 

The first mills were burned the same 
year they were built. The village suffered 
no more serious loss by fire until May 16, 
1877, when the saw and grist-mills, 4 
dwelling-houses, 2 shops and 4 barns were 
burned. James Richards was convicted 
of being the incendiary, and is now in 
prison. 

The great freshet of Oct. 1869, carried 
off the saw and grist-mills, the clothing- 
works, machine-shop, blacksmith-shop, etc. 

Railroad trains commenced to run from 
Montpelier to Plainfield for traffic, Sept. 
I?' ^'^ll)'-, to Wells River, Nov. 24, 1873. 

It is said that a mail route was estab- 
lished from Montpelier to Danville, via 
Plainfield, in 1808, and a post-office was 
probably established at Plainfield at that 



92 



730 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



time ; but so little did it affect the daily 
life of the people, that no one knows who 
was the first postmaster. 

As late as 1823, the fees of the post- 
master at Plainfield were only $10.76; at 
Marshfield, $3.48; Cabot, $6.81 ;atMont- 
pelier, $138.81. As postage was then very 
high, and the fees of the small offices about 
one-half of the gross income, the amount 
of mail matter must have been small. The 
mail was carried on horseback until 1827, 
then in a wagon until 1830, when a coach 
was put on, which was almost as much an 
object of curiosity and pride as was the 
advent of the cars in 1873. 

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

Bradford Kinne, 1800, '2, '3, '4, '5, '7, 
'8, '9, '10, '11, '12, '13, '16, '21; Thomas 
Vincent, 1801, '22, '25, '26; Jonathan 
Kinne, 1806; Joseph Nye, 1814, '15, '17, 
'18, '24; Benjamin Whipple, 1819, '20, '23 ; 
Jeremy Stone, 1827, '28; Israel Goodwin, 
1829, '30, 31 ; John Vincent, 1832, '33, '34; 
Baxter Bancroft, 1835, '36; James Palmer, 
1837, '38, '41 ; Harvey Bancroft, 1839, '40 ; 
Mark M. Page, 1842 ; Ezra Kidder, 1843, 
'44, '50, '60, "61 ; Nathaniel Townsend, 
1845, '46; Reuben Huntoon, 1847 ; Daniel 
A. Perry, 1848, '55; Francis Hall, 1849; 
Lewis Chamberlain, 1851, '52; John Mel- 
len, 1853, '54; E. Madison Perry, 1856, 
'57 ; Dennis Lane, 1858, 59; Sullivan B. 
Gale, 1862, '63; Willard S. Martin, 1864, 
'65; Levi Bartlett, 1866; Julius M. Rich- 
ards, 1867; Justus Kinney, 1868; Chan- 
ning Hazeltine, 1869; Joseph Lane (bien- 
nial), 1870; L. Cheney Batchelder, 1872; 
Stephen C. Shurtleff, 1874; Nathaniel 
Townsend, Jr., 1876; Frank A. Dwinell, 
1878; Dudley B. Smith, 1880. 

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL 
CONVENTIONS. 

Lovel Kelton, 1814; John Vincent, 1822 ; 
Nathaniel Bancroft, 1828; James Palmer, 
1836; Nath'l. Sherman, 1843, '50; Reuben 
Huntoon, 1870. 

STATE SENATORS. 
Nathaniel Bancroft, 1847, '48; Charles 
H. Heath, 1868, '69, '70. 

JUDGES OF COUNTY COURT. 

Bradford Kinne, 1811, '12, '13; Israel 
Goodwin, 1834, '35; Lewis Chamberlain, 



185s, '56; Willard S. Martin, 1874, '75, 
'76, 77- 

TOWN CLERKS. 
Thomas Vincent, 1798, '99, 1800; 'i,'2, 
'3, '9, '10, 'II, '12, '14; Bradford Kinne, 
1804, '5, '6, 7, '8, '13, '15, '16; Silas Wil- 
liams, 1 8 17 to '2,T,-^ James Palmer, 1834 to 
'41 ; Ezra Kidder, 1842 to '51 : Mark M. 
Page, 1852 to '60; Phineas Kellogg, 1861, 
'62; Walter B. Page, 1863 to '76; Mason 
W. Page, 1877; Frank A. Dwinell, 1878. 
TREASURERS. 

Moulton Batchelder, 1798, '99, 1800; 
Thomas Vincent, 1801, '08, '09, '10, '11, 
'12, '14; Ebenezer Freeman, 1802; Brad- 
ford Kinne, 1803, '04, '05, '06, '07, '13, 
'15, '16; Silas Williams, 1817 to ''■i-^; 
James Palmer, 1834 to '41 ; Ezra Kidder, 
1842 to '51 ; Mark M. Page, 1852 to '60; 
S. B. Gale, 1861 to ''jo; Ira F. Page, 1871 
to '74 ; Dudley B. Smith, 1875 ; F. A. Dwi- 
nell, 1877 to '81. 

1ST SELECTMEN. 

Joshua Lawrence, 1797; Thomas Vin- 
cent, 1798, '99, 1800, 'oi, '02, '03, '10, '11, 
'12, '14, '18; James Boutwell, 1804, '05. 
'06, '07, '08, '09; B. Kinne, 1813; Asa 
Bancroft, 181 5, '16, '17 ; Willard Shephard, 
1819; John Vincent, 1820; Benjamin 
Whipple, 1821, '22, '23, '24, '25 ; Jeremy 
Stone, 1826, '35, '36; Andrew Wheatley, 
1827, '28, '29; Jabez L. Carpenter, 1830; 
Elijah Perry, 1831, '32, '33; Baxter Ban- 
croft, 1834; Mark M. Page, 1837 to '41 ; 
James Palmer, 1842, '43; Levi Bartlett, 
1844; Nathaniel Sherman, 1845; Nathan- 
iel Townsend, 1846, '58; E. Madison Per- 
ry, 1847, '48, '49; Daniel A. Perry, 1850; 
Amherst Perkins, 185 1 ; Joel Sherburn, 
1852, '53; Dudley Perkins, 1854; Allen 
Martin, 1855; Ira Stone, 1856; Harrison 
Ketchum, 1859, '60; Charles T. Batchel- 
der, 1861 : L. Cheney Batchelder, 1862, 81 ; 
Joseph Lane, 1863, '64, '65, '75 to '79; 
Willard S. Martin, 1866, '71, '72; Heman 
A. Powers, 1867; Orrin W. Cree, 1857, 
'68, '70; Thomas P. Bartlett, 1869; Jere- 
my S. Chamberlain, 1873, '74, '80. 

OLD PEOPLE 

Who have died hi Plainfield. 
Mrs. Joseph Lampson, 95 ; Mrs. Isaac 
Mann, 94; Moses Bancroft, 87; Mrs. M. 



PLAINFIELD. 



73^ 



Bancroft, 92 ; Jonathan Perkins, 89 ; Spen- 
cer Lawrence, 81 ; Mi^s. Spencer Lawrence, 
89 ; Asa Bancroft, 88 ; Jane (Cams) 
Hatch, 88 ; Mrs. Jacob Perkins, 89 ; Ly- 
dia (Cams) Perkins (Mrs. Jonathan), 83; 
Chauncy Bartlett, 86 ; Mrs. C. Bartlett, 85 ; 
Edmund Freeman, Charles Bancroft, 84 ; 
Mrs. N, Townsend, 83 ; Levi Bartlett, 80 ; 
Benjamin Niles, 84 ; Nathaniel Sherman, 
80; Mrs. N. Sherman, 81 ; Eliza (Cams) 
White, 80; David Reed, 82; Mrs. D. 
Reed, 81 ; James Allen, 84; Roderic Tay- 
lor, 83; John P. Avers, 82; James Batch- 
elder, 81; Allen Martin, 82; Isabella 
(Nash) Powers, 80 ; Coolige Taylor, 83 ; 
C. W. Alvord, 82 ; Asa Fletcher, 82 ; Mrs. 
A. Fletcher, 85 ; Daniel Lampson, 80 ; 
James Perry, 80 ; Isaac Mann, Nathan 
Hill, 82. 

OLD PEOPLE LIVING. 

Daniel Spencer, 91 ; Susan Collins, 88; 
Baxter Bancroft, 87 ; Mrs. B. Bancroft, 
82 ; Mrs. John P. Ayers, 86 ; Eben Mar- 
tin, 85 ; Mrs. Nathan Parker, 85 ; Justus 
Kinney, 83; Mrs. J. Kinney, 80; Susan 
Corliss, 82; Mrs. Roderic Taylor, 81; 
William Parks, 81 ; Benjamin F. Moore, 
81 ; Alex Woodman, 80; Mrs. Levi Bart- 
lett, 80; Nathan Hill, 82. 

MASONIC. 

Rural Lodge. — The records of this 
Lodge having been lost or destroyed, no 
extended history can be written of it or of 
its early members. The only authentic 
papers belonging to it are the original by- 
laws in manuscript form, from which we 
learn that a charter was granted by the 
Grand Lodge at its annual session in 
Montpelier, Oct. 12. 1825. 

Charter Members. — Horace Pitkin, 
Marshfield ; Alden Palmer, Montpelier ; Ja- 
bez L. Carpenter, Plainfield ; Stephen Pit- 
kin, William Martin, Marshfield ; William 
Billings, Nathaniel C. King, Montpelier ; 
Charles Clark, Calais ; Nathaniel Bancroft, 
Silas Williams, Jr., A Simons, Plain- 
field ; Merrill Williams, Montpelier ; Har- 
vey Pitkin, Edwin Pitkin, James Pitkin, 
Daniel Spencer, Marshfield; Nathaniel 
Davis, Robert Nesmith, Montpelier ; James 
English, Marshfield. 

The organization of the Lodge was kept 



up, and some work done, until the annual 
session of the Grand Lodge in 1830, when 
they are supposed to have surrendered 
their charter. Only two of the charter 
members are known to be living, Daniel 
Spencer of Plainfield, at the advanced age 
of 91 years, and Nathaniel C. King, of 
Montpelier. 

Wyoming Lodge, No. 80. — Wyoming 
Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 80, was chartered 
by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of 
Vermont, June 11, A. D. 1868. 

Charter Members. — Charles H. Heath, 
Leroy H. Hooker, Stephen C. Shurtleff, 
Nathan Skinner, Dudley B. Smith, Jas. 
M. Perry, Channing Hazeltine, J. M. 
Richards, William Armstrong, A. H. 
Whitcomb, Walter B. Page, Mark M. 
Page, R. H. Christy, Byron Goodwin, 
Fitch E. Willard, W. S. Little, Ezekiel 
Skinner, Samuel Simpson, Martin V. B. 
Hollister, D. M. Perkins, Samuel Wilson, 
Horace Hill, Reuben Huntoon, Lewis H. 
Cunningham, N. Davis, Jr., Mason T. 
Page, Silas E. Willis, Willard Harris, 
James Pitkin, Luther G. Town, Solomon 
L. Gilman, Nathaniel Sherman, Daniel 
Spencer, Nathaniel Davis, Horace H. 
Hollister, Nathaniel C. Page, C. W. H. 
Dwinell, E. O. Hammond, Eben D. Ste- 
vens. 

First officers: Charles H. Heath, W. 
M. ; Loren H. Hooker, S. W. ; Stephen 
C. Shurtleff, J. W. 

Officers for 1^2,1-2: W. R. Gove, W. 
M.; John W. Fowler, S. W, ; Dan. W. 
Moses, J. W. 

rev. c. e. ferrin, d. d. 

Aljridged from a sketch In tlie Vermont Chronicle by 
Rev. A. D. Bahber. 

Clark E. Ferrin was born in Holland, 
Vt., July 20, 18 1 8. He grew up there on 
the farm with his father till he was of age, 
teaching a common school in the winter 
from the time he was 17, and aiding his 
father in the support of the family. In 
the fall after he had attained his majority 
he went to Brownington Academy, of 
which Rev. A. C. Twilight was preceptor, 
and began fitting for college. At Brown- 
ington he not only set his face collegeward 
but heavenward, experiencing that change 



732 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of which our Lord said to Nicodemus, 
" Except a man be born again he cannot 
see the kingdom of God." Remaining at 
Browingtori about a year, he went to 
Derby, finished his preparation and enter- 
ed the University at Burlington in the 
class of 1 84 1 . Though at a disadvantage by 
lack of early opportunities, by diligent ap- 
plication he gained upon the class during 
the course, and graduated in 1845, with 
the last third. The fall after he taught the 
Academy at Marshfield, and from thence 
went to Macon, Ga., where he taught for 
2 years. From Macon he went to the 
theological seminary at Andover, Mass., 
completing the course in the class of 1850. 
The spring before he graduated at An- 
dover he visited Barton, Vt., preaching 
there, and receiving a call to the pastorate 
of the Congregational church. Accepting 
this call, he was ordained and installed at 
Barton, in 1857, Rev. O. T. Lamphear, 
a college classmate, then at Derby, preach- 
ing the installation sermon from Exodus 
IV: 14, "I know that he can speak well." 
Another, a seminary classmate, Rev. Mr. 
Dean, gave the charge to the people. 
Zealous and faithful at Barton, he was 
after nearly 3 years attacked with that 
facial neuralgia, which rendered his after 
life one of almost continued pain, and often 
for months and years at a time one of in- 
tense suffering. His enemy compelled 
him to suspend his ministry at Barton and 
seek dismission from his charge. This 
was granted by council. Dismissed, he 
sought for a time renewed health and 
strength in farm labors. As soon as health 
permitted, he took up the ministry again, 
received a call, and was installed pastor of 
the Congregational church in Hinesburgh 
in 1855. At this second installation, an- 
other of his classmates. Rev. N. G. Clark, 
then professor in the University at Bur- 
lington, preached the sermon, and an- 
other classmate. Rev. A. D. Barber, of 
Williston, gave the Right Hand of Fellow- 
ship. Here, after no very long time, he 
began to suffer again from the assaults of 
his adversary, neuralgia, but for long 
years, though in real suffering and much 
of the time in keen distress by day and by 



night, he persisted in doing a manly work, 
building with one hand for Christ and his 
church, and resisting the enemy of his 
peace and strength with the other. Here, 
indeed, he fought a good fight, yielding 
only after many years. In the winter of 

1874 he went to Philadelphia, and sub- 
mitted to the severe surgical operation of 
removing a part of the facial nerve. This 
gave only partial relief. In the fall of 

1875 he took a voyage to Europe, visiting 
London and Paris, seeking aid, but finding 
little. Having failed now for some time in 
strength, but not in heart to labor, he re- 
signed his pastorate. His resignation was 
after long waiting and hope of the church 
and parish for his recovery, accepted, and 
he was dismissed, having been pastorabout 
24 years. Remaining in the parsonage at 
Hinesburgh, and experiencing some relief 
with returning strength, he was able at 
length to take up again the work he loved 
so well. This he did at Plainfield, where 
he was installed pastor Feb. 13, 1878, 
Rev. W. S. Hazen, of Northfield, preach- 
ing the sermon, from I. Cor. 1:23, "We 
preach Christ and Him crucified," one of 
his classmates, again a member of the 
Council, presided and offered the installing 
prayer. In this his third and last pastor- 
ate, our brother labored continuously and 
successfully, though his old enemy still 
pursued him. He ceased his labors and 
entered into rest, after a sickness entirely 
prostrating him of about 5 weeks, June, 
1881. His experience during this last 
trial was full of the peace of God. " I am 
surprised," he wrote, telling us the result 
of the first council of physicians called to 
consider his case. "The fullness with which 
I can say, ' Thy will, not mine,' surprises, 
almost troubles me." 

Mr. Ferrin left a wife, 3 sons and 2 
daughters ; all fitted for usefulness, and of 
fine promise ; all were present at the time 
of his death. His oldest son, reaching 
home but a few days before, is Professor 
William Ferrin, of Pacific University, at 
Forest Grove, Oregon. The oldest daugh- 
ter is the wife of Rev. John Cowan, of 
Essex. 

At the funeral, ten neighboring ministers 



PLAINFIELD. 



733 



were present, the deacons of the church 
from Williston and Montpelier, and a good 
delegation trom Hinesburgh and other 
towns. His children conducted the ser- 
vices at the house, Prof. Ferrin reading 
select passages of Scripture, Rev. Mr. 
Cowan offering prayer, and all the family 
uniting in singing the hymn, "Rock of 
ages cleft for me." The service was beau- 
tiful, tender and touching. The casket 
was borne by his brother ministers. At 
the church, Rev. C. S. Smith read the 
Scripture, Rev. J. H. Hincks offered 
prayer, his two classmates. Rev. J. G. 
Hale and A. D. Barber, spoke ; Mr. Hale, 
of Mr. Ferrin as a man, of his place in 
college and in the ministry, and Mr. 
Barber of him as a Christian pastor. 



Mr. Ferrin, besides his work as min- 
ister, was a most respected and highly 
useful citizen. He represented the town 
of Hinesburgh in the legislature one or two 
sessions, was a faithful and influential 
member of the corporation of the Univer- 
sity for more than 20 years. He received 
the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity 
from Middlebury College at the commence- 
ment, a year ago, and was a man such that 
the family, the church and the State can 
alike trust. 

[Mr. Ferrin compiled from the papers 
of the venerable Erastus Bostwick the his- 
tory of Hinesburgh for Vol. i. in this 
work, and in Vol. iii. wrote the biograph- 
ical sketch of the Rev. O. T. Lamphear in 
the history of Orleans County.] 



SOLDIERS ENLISTED FOR PLAINFIELD IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

ReiiKirks. 



Deserted Dec. 25, 62. 
Died Nov. 29, 61. 

Discharged Aug. 26, 63. 

Pris. June 23, 64 ; died at Andersonville, 

Ga., Oct. 6, 64. 
Enlisted for Barre, Aug. 26, 61. 



Names. 


Reg. Co. 


Mustered. 


Term. 


Ayers, George A. 


2 F 


June 20 61 


3y 


Ball, Henry L. C. 


9 I 


July 9 62 


3y 


Blaisdell, George, 


4 G 


Sept 20 61 


3y 


Bradford, Amos C. 


2 F 


do 


3y 


Bradford, John M. 


do 


do 


3y 


Buxton, Chas. B. 


4 A 


Dec 31 62 


3y 


Bell, Joel 


CavH 


Aug 29 64 


ly 


Bartlett, Mark 


12 D 


Oct 62 


9m 


Boles, David 


4 G 


Jan 20 65 


ly 


Cummins, John D. 


do 


Sept 20 61 


3y 


Cole, Parker 


CavC 


Dec 25 63 


3y 


Carr, Jason 


12 D 


Oct 4 62 


9m 


do 


2 Bat 


Aug 27 64 


ly 


Clark, Nathaniel 


12 D 


Oct 4 62 


9 m 


Dolan, Bernard 


4 B 


Feb 15 65 


ly 


Duke, Edward V. 


4 G 


Feb 25 65 


ly 


Downs. John H. 


9 I 


July 9 62 


3y 


Edmons, Douglass 


CavF 


Sept 26 62 


3y 


Fraqua, Peter 




Nov 25 63 


3y 


Farrar, D. W. 


2 Bat 


Aug 13 64 


ly 


Farr, Benjamin A. 


4'E 


Feb 14 65 


ly 


Gale, Sullivan F. 


13 c 


Oct ID 62 


9 m 


Gunnerson, Daniel 


12 D 


Oct 4 62 


9 m 


Haywood, Wm. H. 


CavF 


Sept 26 62 


3y 


Hill, David 


9 I 


July II 62 


3y 


Lapieu, Louis 


2 D 


Apr 22 62 


3y 


Lupien, Lewis 


CavK 


Dec 3 63 


3y 


Leazer, Buzzell 


3 H 


July 16 61 


3y 


Leazer, Joseph 


9 I 


July II 62 


3y 


Lemwin, Peter 


I Bat 


Feb 28 62 


3y 


Ladd, Andrew J. 


CavC 


Dec 25 63 


3y 


Lease, Joseph N. 


4 D 


Dec 31 63 


3y 


Lease, Julian C. 


do 


do 


3y 


Lease, Rufus 


do 


do 


3y 


Lemwin, Rock 


17 E 


Mar 3 64 


3y 


Lupien, 0. Liva 


Cav K 


Dec 31 63 


3y 



Discharged Apr. 17, 62. [Church. 

Killed in action May 5, 64, at Craig's 

Died June 13, 65. 



Promoted corporal. 
Deserted Nov. i, 63. 



Sergeant. 

Deserted Feb. 29, 64. 
Discharged May 9, 63. 
Discharged Sept. 62. 
Promoted corporal. 
Re-enlisted 3d Battery. 
Deserted Sept. 28, 62. 
Mustered out Oct. 10, 64. 
Discharged April 19, 64. 
Died July 8, 64, of wounds received in 
action June 23, 64, Welden Railroad. 

Died June, 64. 

Died at Burlington, Mar. 7, 64. 

Died at Andersonville, Sept. 3, 64. 



734 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Mann, John C. 
Mears, Horace B. 
Morse, Marshal C. 
Nye, Ervin 
Nasmith, K. R. 
Paronto, Gideon 
Perry, Edwin R. 
Perry, Willard M. 
Paronto, Napoleon 
Porter, Geo. W. 
Rollins, Charles 
Rollins, Orvis 
Reed, Clark 
Reed, Roswell 
Richards, Linus 
Rathbury, Ira P. 
Spencer. Ira D. 
Scott, George 
Scott, Orange 
Shepherd, Dennison 
Shepherd, John 
Shorey, Joseph 
Simons, Louis 
Skinner, Ezekiel 
Stearns, James E. 
Stearns, Lowell 

Taylor, Stephen 
Valley, Felix 
Wilson, Calvin O. 
Woodcock, C. A. 
Webster. Nathan L. 

Willey, Geo. W. 
Whicher, Geo. 



Reg, Co. 

4 G 
CavD 
12 D 



4 A 

4 G 

2 A 

4 G 

do 

Cav K 

lo I 

2 Bat 

do 
12 D 

do 
do 
4 F 
4 G 



2 H 
7 K 
4 G 
2 F 
4 G 
do 
4 A 
4 K 



Mustered. Term, 

3 y 
3y 

gm 

3y 
ly 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
ly 
ly 
9 m 

9 m 
9 m 
I}- 

ly 

3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 
3y 

3y 
9 m 

3y 
3y 
3y 

3y 
ly 



Sept 20 61 
Sept 26 62 
Oct 4 62 
Dec 31 63 
Jan 20 65 
Apr 12 62 
Sept 61 

do 
Dec 31 63 
Jan 5 64 
Aug 27 64 
Aug 13 64 
Oct 4 62 

do 

do 
Feb 14 65 
Jan 20 65 
Sept 22 62 
June 20 61 
Feb 21 62 
Sept 20 61 
Sept 22 62 
Sept 61 
Sept2o 61 
Jan 6 64 
July 17 63 

June 20 61 
Oct 1062 
July 9 62 
Sept 22 62 
Dec 31 63 



Discharged Apr. 21, 62. 
Discharged Sept. 18, 63. 

Discharged May 12, 65. 

Died June 17, 62. 

Discharged Oct. 8, 62. 

Re-enlisted Dec. 15, 63. 

Deserted Sept. 19, 64. 

Prisoner July 9, 64; died March, 65. 



Sergeant. 
Died May 2, 63. 



Discharged Oct. 21, 62. 
Died Nov. 4, 61. 
Re-enlisted. 
Discharged April 21, 62. 

Re-enlisted. 

Discharged Sept. 63, 

Promoted corporal. 

Wounded ; ambulance train captured ; 

never heard from afterwards. 
Re-enlisted Jan. 64. 



2 S S E Jan 5 64 
2 Bat Aug 19 64 



Died Feb. 23, 65. 

Prisoner June 23, 64; died Dec. 

soon after being exchanged. 
Died Feb. 14, 64. 



23. 



Total, 68, of whom there were 5 deserted, i killed in action, 2 died of wounds, 11 
died of disease, 12 discharged before enlistment expired, y] served their term, or were 
discharged at the close of the war. 

Furnished midzr draft — Paid commutation, Solomon Bartlett, Jacob Batchelder, 
Martin B. Bemis, John D. Cummings, Lucius M. Harris, Jirah S. Lawrence, Alba F. 
Martyn, Erasmus McCrillis, Philander Moore, Charles Morse. 

Procured substitute — Edwin B. Lane. 

Revolutionary soldiers — Lieut. Joshua Lawrence, John Bancroft, Solomon Bartlett, 
Moses Reed. 



FUNERAL HYMN FOR GARFIELD. 

BY MBS. E. E. YAW. 

(Written for the memorial services at Plainfield, 
Sept. 21, 1881.) 
Years a-gone, a cry of woe 

Rose to Heaven an April day. 
As beneath a murderer's hand 

Our martyred Lincoln bleeding lay. 
Revive the story of that crime. 

How all nations mourned with us. 
Bowing with uncovered heads. 

Weeping o'er his honored dust. 

And to-day, in grief again— 

Lord of nations, Lord of might— 
We come to thee witli cries of pain; 

Shine upon our dreary night. 
Ah, our tears they fall like rain 

That the honor nobly gave, 
Placing Garfield at the nation's head. 

Led so close beside a grave. 



Lay him softly in his narrow bed, 

Cover him with garlands fair. 
Gentle zephyrs, requiems sing; 

Angels watch— leave him there. 

The services were in charge of the pastor. 
Remarks were made by O. L. Hoyt, E. N. 
Morse, Dr. D. B. Smith, Godwin Reed, 
Ira Stone, Joseph Bartlett, Allan Ferrin 
and H. O. Perry. 

Mary E. Davis, also, born in this town, 
has published a book of verse, of which, 
had a volume been placed at our command, 
in time, we should have given a review. 



ROXBURY. 



735 



ROXBURY. 

BY MIIS. SARAH BRIGJIAM MANSFIELD. 

Located in the south part of Washing- 
ton County, 17 miles south-westerly from 
Montpelier ; bounded N. by Northfield, 
E. by Brookfield, S. by Braintree and 
Granville, and W. by Warren ; was grant- 
ed Nov. 6, 1780, and chartered to Hon. 
Benjamin Emmonds and others August 
6, 1781 ; 23,040 acres, situated on the 
height of the land between Winooski and 
White rivers. The village is at the sum- 
mit, the highest point of land on the 
Central Vt. R. R. There are no large 
streams. Three branches of Dog river 
flow north into the Winooski ; one rising 
on the East Hill, flows south, passing a 
branch of Dog river at the Summit, one 
running north, the other south, the latter 
into White river. 

Many years ago, one Capt. Ford, who 
owned a manufacturing establishment at 
Randolph, and wished a greater supply of 
water, came to the Summit, and turned 
the course of the stream going north into 
the one flowing south, deriving great ben- 
efit therefrom, but of short duration. The 
trick was detected by mill-owners north, 
and he was obliged to undo his work, and 
let the river take its natural course. 

There are two natural ponds in town, 
one just south of the village and one on 
East Hill. Both have at one time been 
homes for the "beaver," where they built 
dams and carried on business beaver style ; 
but long ago they deserted their old 
haunts, and the pond that once reached to 
where the village now is, is fast disappear- 
ing, and a few years hence will no doubt 
be terra firuia. 

The surface is uneven, but the soil is 
fertile. There are some fine dairy farms 
along the river, and the hill farms are well 
adapted to wheat raising. The timber is 
mostly hard wood, with some spruce, hem- 
lock and fir. Rocks,- argillaceous slate, 
soapstone and marble. 

There were three divisions of land in 
this township; the ist div., the north half 
of that portion of the town lying east of 
this valley; the 2d div., the south half; 
the 3d div., the western side of the town. 



The 1st and 2d contain 100 acres ; the 3d, 
136. 

The first road laid in town was in 17^9, 
from Warren line down to the first branch 
of White River, to the north line of Kings- 
ton (now Granville). Next, on the hill 
west of said branch, from Kingston, until 
it joins the branch road toward Warren. 
The third road led from Samuel Richard- 
son's house by John Staflbrd's and Wil- 
cox's to Warren ; Samson Nichols survey- 
or. In 1802, the road through the mid- 
dle of the town, from Northfield to Brook- 
field, was laid out, 6 rods wide. A road 
was surveyed from Northfield to Brook- 
field through the east part of the town, in 
1802. In 1806, the road was laid from 
Samuel Smith's on East Hill, by Wm. 
Gold's to east part of the town. These 
are a few of the first roads surveyed in 
town. 

The first town meeting was held at the 
house of Jedediah Huntington ; the warn- 
ing was dated at Williamstown, Mar. 12, 
1796, signed by Joseph Crane, justice of 
the peace, and the meeting was held Mar. 
25, 1796; when following the town officers 
were elected in Roxbury : Joseph Crane, 
moderator; Thomas Huntington, clerk: 
Samuel Richardson, Isaac Lewis, Jedediah 
Huntington, selectmen; David Cram, 
treasurer: Jonathan Huntington, consta- 
ble ; David Cram and Thomas Hunting- 
ton, listers ; Samuel Richardson and 
Christopher Huntington, highway survey- 
ors. The sum total of the grand list at 
this time was ^165 and 15s. Zebediah 
Butler was first town representative ; he 
resided south of what is known as E. K. 
Young's place. 

The first warning for freeman's meeting 
was in 1797. 

Record of the meeting: The freemen of 
Roxbury, all to a man, met at the house 
of Jedediah Huntington, in said town, ac- 
cording to warning, when the freeman's 
oath was duly administered by the town 
clerk to the following men : Christopher 
Huntington, Roswell Adams, Isaac Lewis, 
David Cram, John Stafl"ord, Benoni Web- 
ster, Jedediah Huntington, Perus Hunt- 
ington, Benjamin Hunter, Jr., Daniel Cor- 
bin, Chester Batchelder. 

The freemen voted as follows : For Gov., 



12,^ 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Isaac Tichenor 9, Nathaniel Niles 4, Paul 
Brigham i ; Lieut. Gov., Paul Brigham 
iq, Nathaniel Niles 3; Treas., Samuel 
Mattocks 14; for counsellors, Elisha Allen 
II, Cornelius Lynde 10, Elias Stevens 9, 
Jonas Gakisha 2, Joel Marsh 9, Reuben 
Hatch 2, Martin Chittenden 2, Joseph 
Hubbard i, Ebenezer Walbridge 4, John 
French 6. 

Thomas Huntington, town clerk. 

Freeman's oath had previously been ad- 
ministered to Samuel Richardson, Thomas 
and Jonathan Huntington. There were 
just 14 voters in town, at that time. In 
Mar., 1799, voted that from Apr. i to May 
20, it shall not be lawful for sheep or swine 
to run at large on the commons or high- 
ways, and if willfuly or negligently allowed 
to run, the owners thereof shall pay double 
damages. When there were neither high- 
ways or commons, even passable for swine or 
sheep ! They also voted, at the same time, 
that Joseph Newton should have approba- 
tion to retail liquors to travellers the ensu- 
ing year. For all their privations or hard 
struggles, these early settlers seemed to 
have a vein of drollery and fun underlying 
all. In 1802, they called a meeting to see 
if the town would vote to set the small 
pox in town. Not wanting it, voted to 
dissolve the meeting. Sept. 12, 1803, 
called a meeting to see if the town would 
vote to set up inoculation of small pox in 
town ; did not want it, and dissolved the 
meeting. In 1806, voted to raise 7 mills 
on a dollar for the purpose of buying sur- 
veying implements. Chose Samuel Rob- 
ertson surveyor for the town — to have the 
use of the instruments for doing the sur- 
veying for said town. A compass and 
chain was bought, a very good one for 
those times, and is still the property of the 
town. In 181 1, voted to set off the east 
part of the town to Brookfield. Voted to 
petition the general assembly at their next 
session to be annexed to Jefferson Co., 
(now Washington). To be stingy and 
small with their neighbors did not seem to 
be a fault with them. 

On record, Jan. 26, 1799, -'I, Samuel 
Richardson, in consideration of the love 
and good will I bear to my well respected 
friend, Polly Corbin, gave her a deed of 20 
acres of land. " 



First land tax (71 town : Petitioned to the 
legislature for a land tax in 1796. The 
legislature, then in session at Windsor, 
raised a tax of one cent on an acre of land 
in said town. The "delinquents" lands 
to be soid the 8th day of May, 1798, at 
David Cram's dwelling-house, by David 
Cram, constable. 

July 31, '98, vendue sale of lands at Jed- 
ediah Huntington's, by Abel Lyman, col- 
lector. 

First deed upon the land records : from 
Asa Huntington to Daniel Kingsbury, da- 
ted at Brookfield, Sept. 3, 1794, recorded 
Mar. 24, 1796. 

In June, 18 12, called a meeting to see 
if the town would provide arms, amunition 
and equipments for the soldiers who have 
this day volunteered in the service of their 
country as minute men. Voted that the 
monthly pay of each minute man should be 
raised three dollars per month, while in 
actual service, payable in grain or neat 
stock. Voted to deposit magazine and 
public arms at the dwelling-house of Elijah 
Ellis, the town having received gun pow- 
der and lead. In 1816, voted to set off 4 
tiers of lots on east side of town, to form 
a separate town with part of Brookfield. 
Passed the same vote in 1827, and seems 
to have been dropped there, as there is no 
farther recoid of the matter. 

Christopher Huntington was the first 
settler. He came to the east part of the 
town, and built the first house, where O. 
A. Thayer now lives. He came from 
Mansfield, Conn., where his children were 
born, but had resided in Norwich a short 
time before coming here. He also preach- 
ed the first sermon in town, to a small but 
no doubt appreciative audience. He was 
a Universalist minister, and as the town 
became settled, preached in various places. 

Mr. Huntington drew his goods into 
town on a hand-sled on bare ground, and 
with the other early settlers, endured pri- 
vations hard to realize from the stand- 
point of to-day. His daughter, Lydia, 
died Jan. 23, 1792, at the age of 17, the 
first death in town. Mr. Huntington re- 
moved to Canada in 1804. The Mr. 
Huntington wbo recently died in Canada, 
bequeathing $25,000 to the State of Ver- 
mont, is said to be one of his sons. 
Another son was several years a Baptist 
preacher in Braintree. 



ROXBURY. 



in 



SAMUEL RICHARDSON 

was the first to settle in the west part of the 
town. He was born in Staftbrd, Conn., 
June 13, 1750, and was a veteran of the 
Revolutionary War, having "been out" 
nearly half the war. His wife, Susanna 
Pinney, was born July, 1749. After their 
marriage, they came to Randolph and set- 
tled. When the Indians burned Royal- 
ton, they passed through Randolph and 
burned the house next to theirs, but it be- 
ing somewhat retired, they probably did 
not discern it. Mr. R. came to this town 
in 1790, and built a small log-house near 
where the watch factory now stands, and 
returned home to come back again in the 
early spring with his son, Uriah, whom 
tradition has it, brought a five-pail iron- 
kettle on his back through the deep snow, 
with marked trees for roads. A niece of 
his has injured the story, by declaring her 
ancestor to have been a brave lad and a 
willing one, but that he was not a Hercu- 
les, and it was really a seven-pail brass- 
kettle. Well, even that seems almost in- 
credible, considering the distance, and 
roads. After the sugar-making was well 
begun, Mr. Richardson returned to Ran- 
dolph, leaving his son alone in the wilder- 
ness for 6 weeks. No one to speak to, no 
daily or weekly paper ; but the solemn 
hoot of the owl, the lonesome winds 
through the trees, the howling of the hun- 
gry wolves about his cabin, as he said, 
made weird music, not exactly conducive 
to sleep. But his father came with the rest 
of the family as soon as snow was gone. 
There are said to have been several reasons 
why Mr. Richardson moved into this wild- 
erness. One, he was greatly averse to his 
children marrying, and his sons were be- 
coming sturdy young men, and his daugh- 
ters tall and handsome. And he was not 
the only one who seemed to realize the 
fact. Beaux would drop in of an evening ; 
the little by-play on the old settle by the 
fireplace — naming the rosy-cheeked apples, 
and comparing them to the not less rosy 
cheeks of the maidens, going on under 
pater familias' eye, not unnoticed ; no sym- 
pathetic chord in his heart vibrating to 
the echo of "long ago," when he leaned 



over the gate, and made love to the fair 
Susanna after escorting her home from 
spelling-school, away down in old Con- 
necticut. To keep the necks of his off- 
spring out of the "noose," he reflected the 
surest way was to get them where beaux 
and belles were not, and removed his fam- 
ily to the wilderness ; but even there, four 
of them out-generalled him at last. His 
eldest daughter, Sarah, and Chester Batch- 
elder, Jan. 27, 1799, by Israel Converse, 
justice of the peace, were made one, and 
this was the first marriage in town. Hannah , 
taking courage from the example of her 
elder sister, married Peter S. P. Staples. 
Lydia married Charles Cotton, hesitating- 
ly, not swiftly, as lovely maidens should 
be expected to wed — her lithe form had 
lost some of its willowy grace, her cheek 
its first youthful bloom ; she was a bride of 
45 summers. Samuel married Sally Ellis. 
Half his children were gone, but by the 
care and admonitions of this tender sire, 
half his family were still preserved, four 
perpetually saved from marriage fate. 

That the "females" of this unmated 
half of the Richardson family were able to 
care for themselves, and give a helping 
hand to the weak of the stronger sex, the. 
following proveth : "Tim" Emmerson 
had a large amount of grain to be harvest- 
ed, and no help to be had at any price ; it 
was already over-ripe ; Susan and Mary 
Richardson, who were noted for thrift, and 
disliked to see anything go to waste, offer- 
ed, if their brother would accompany them, 
to give the poor man a lift. The men 
folk smiled as the resolute damsels came 
into the field, but as the golden grain fell 
before their gleaming sickles, and was dex- 
terously bound and placed in stocks by 
their deft hands, the men hung their di- 
minished heads, and the perspiration 
coursed down their brown cheeks as they 
vainly strove to keep pace with their fair 
reapers. Before night tradition saith each 
masculine had fallen meekly to the rear. 
Mary and Susan sheared their own sheep, 
and if occasion required, could chop off a 
2 foot log as soon as most men. 

Susan Richardson was once going home 
from "squire" Robertson's, through the 



93 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



woods. She heard a strange cry as of 
some one in distress. It was growing 
dusk, the sound came nearer and nearer; 
she could see it was gaining upon her at 
every step. She was a very courageous 
person, not easily scared, but as those 
quick, sharp screams fell upon her ears, 
the grass didn't grow under her feet until 
she reached the clearing ; but, once out 
of the woods, she gathered her sheep into 
a place of safety before she sought shelter 
for herself. It was found, the next day, a 
catamount had followed her ; his tracks 
were plainly visible in the soft earth. It 
had followed her to the edge of the woods, 
which reached nearly to her house. At 
another time, she, with a friend who was 
visiting her, went to a neighbor's for an 
" afternoon tea." It was late before they 
got started for home, and all the way 
through the woods. They heard the dis- 
mal howling of wolves. Susan knew the 
sound very well, but her friend, unused to 
pioneer life, had no idea, and wondered, 
as Susan took her babe from her arms and 
hurried rapidly forward. When they reach- 
ed the clearing, and Susan had gathered 
in her sheep, and they were safe in the 
house, she told her friend it was wolves 
they had heard, and they would surely 
have got her baby had they not quickened 
their pace. 

A grand-daughter of Mrs. Richardson's 
told me another little incident that occur- 
red when she was a child of twelve. Her- 
self and a younger brother were in the 
woods gathering flowers, they had wander- 
ed some ways farther than they were 
aware, the sister was wakened to a realiz- 
ing sense of it when she spied, but a few 
feet from them, a large white-faced bear, 
erect on his hind paws, coming towards 
them. Not wishing to frighten her broth- 
er, who was very timid, and fearing he 
would be overcome with terror, she took 
him by the hand and strove to hurry him 
away ; but no, just a few more flowers, he 
said. He was determined not to go home. 
" See there," said she, pointing to the 
bear, who stood contemplating the situa- 
tion. The boy beheld, and gave so terrific 
a scream, that the bear turned and fled as 



fast as his clumsy limbs could carry him, 
preferring to go without his supper to mak- 
ing it off" a boy who could scream so loud. 

Another reason given (to return to Mr. 
Richardson's reasons for coming to this 
town), was that when the bass viol was 
carried into cliurch at Randolph, it was 
more than his orthodox nerves could 
stand, and he preferred the primeval forest, 
"God's own temple," with the birds to 
sing anthems of praise, and no profane, 
new-fangled instrument, made by the hand 
of man, with which to worship God for 
him. He was a Congregationalist deacon, 
and his wife was a member of the Baptist 
church. They lived in their log-house 
only about a year, and then moved farther 
up, where they built the first framed house 
in town — where Julius Kent now lives — 
many years afterwards sold to Jonathan 
Burroughs, and moved near the village, 
and is the frame of Mrs. Martell's house. 

Mr. Richardson built a saw and grist- 
mill above where Mr. Kent now lives, and 
a larger house leading to the S. E. Spaul- 
ding place. A grand-daughter of theirs, 
who is now 79 years of age, and who spent 
much of her childhood with them, tells me 
Mr. Pinney, the father of her grand- 
mother Richardson, was high in the es- 
teem of King George, and was commis- 
sioned by him to attend to a great deal of 
business for His Majesty in New England. 

GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of GOD 
of Great B?'itain, France and Ireland, 
KING, Defender of the Faith, &c. 
To all to whom these Presents shall come. 
Greeting. 

Know Ye, That We have assigned, 
constituted and appointed, and by these 
Presents do assign, constitute and appoint 
Our trusty and well beloved Subject, Isaac 
Pinney, Esq,, to be Judge of Our Court of 
Probate, to be holden within the District 
of Stafford, in our Colony of Connecticut, 
in New England, with the Assistance of a 
Clerk, to hold our said Court of ProTaate of 
Wills, granting of Administration, ap- 
pointing and allowing of Guardians, with 
full Power to act in all Matters proper for 
a prerogative Court. 

In Testimony whereof. We have caused 
the Seal of Our said Colony to be hereunto 
affixed. IVitness, Jonathan Trumbull, 
Esq., Governor of our said Colony of 
Cotmecticid, and with the Consent of the 



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739 



General Assembly of the same in Hart- 
ford, this first Day of June, in the 13th 
Year of Our Reign, Annoque Domini, One 
Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy- 
three. By His Honor's Command, 

JON'A. TRUMBULL, Gov. 
George Wyllys, Sec"}/. 

At one time he received important mes- 
sages from the King, and although he had 
six clerks, he took his daughter, afterward 
Mrs. R., from school as his private secre- 
tary. His daughters were all taught the 
science of medicine, and Mrs. R. attended 
to the sick in this town before other phy- 
sicians came in, and some afterwards, 
going about on horseback, with a heavy 
riding dress for unpleasant weather. She 
never shrank where duty called, and not 
expecting other recompense than the grat- 
itude of those she served ; for in those 
primitive days the few inhabitants were 
not burdened with riches, and were neigh- 
borly to each other. 

One fall, seeing the destitution around 
them, Mr. R. took a yoke of oxen to Wil- 
liamstown, exchanged them for potatoes, 
and divided them among the destitute, 
taking his pay in work as they could do it. 
Mrs. Richardson at this time gave her 
family two meals per day, with a cup of 
milk for supper, giving what they saved by 
so doing to the needy ones. 

Living on the road that crossed the 
mountain to Warren, the glimmer of light 
from their windows was often a most wel- 
come sight to the benighted traveler. A 
man overtaken by night, with intense cold 
and darkness, crawled on his hands and 
knees for miles, fearing he should lo.se the 
track that led to their house, knowing if 
he did he must perish. Large, warm 
hearts these people had, with a hand ever 
out reached to help any poorer than them- 
selves. Their noble charities, their ex- 
emplary Christian characters amid all the 
struggles and hardships of pioneer life, 
are most worthy of imitation. They, with 
their children, all of whom reached ma- 
turity, now rest in the old burying-ground, 
near the residence of O. A. Staples. 

DAVID CRAM, 

one of the next to come into town, was 
from Lyndsboro,N. H. His son, Philip, 



born Mar. 18, 1795, was the first male 
child born in town. Lydia Huntington, 
daughter of Jedediah H., got four days 
start of him, so the honor of being the first 
child born in town rests upon her. Whether 
she is living, I am unable to say ; but 
Philip Cram married Abigail Heath, of 
Randolph, and is now living in Brook- 
field. 

Daniel Corbin came from Randolph 
about this time, and Isaac Lewis, Dav.id, 
Robert and Jonathan Cram located on 
farms now owned by Messrs. Chatterton, 
Bowman and Orra Boyce. 

Benoni Webster came, in 1798, I think, 
from Connecticut, and located on the place 
now occupied by James Steele. Mr. Web- 
ster came from Connecticut with an ox- 
team, rather a slow mode of conveyance 
for the distance, but " patience and perse- 
verance" were household words in those 
days. The "blue laws" did not allow 
people to be moving on Sunday in the old 
state, and Mr. Webster was stopped in a 
small village to give an account of him- 
self. He declared it was against his 
principles to be traveling on the Sabbath, 
but his wife had been exposed to the 
small pox, and he was in great haste 
to get to his journey's end. He was 
allowed to pass on. His oldest son, 
Charles, born in Connecticut, married 
Eleanor P. Ryder, and settled in the east 
part of this town, where his second son, 
Aaron, now resides, and is the only one of 
the family in the State. 

Charles Webster was killed by being 
thrown from his carriage in 1834. Benoni 
Webster, the youngest of the family, is 
still living, at an advanced age, in North- 
field. He was born in a barn, not a mod- 
ern affair, but an old log-barn. Whether 
he was cradled in a manger, tradition 
saith not. One of the children being so 
ill he could endure no noise, to secure him 
the quiet needed to save his life, the rest 
of the family moved into the barn, with 
the exception of one to nurse the sick 
child, and there they remained until he 
was restored to health, which was over a 
year. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



JOEL HILDRETH 

came to this township in the autumn of 
1797, from Cornish, N. H., and boarded 
with a family who lived on the farm now 
owned by G. L. Walbridge, while he built 
his log-house on the place now owned by 
Mr. George Williams, who purchased of 
Mr. Hildreth's grand-son, Samuel A. Hil- 
dreth, a few years since. One morning 
soon after Mr. Hildreth was settled in his 
cabin, he heard a rooster crow to the east- 
ward, and as the ringing notes came across 
the wooded valley, it fell upon his ears 
like music. He followed that " crow" for 
four or five miles, and at last found his 
new neighbors in Northfield, near where 
William Winch now resides. 

Mr. Hildreth. with his trusty rifle, was 
a terror to the denizens of the forest, hav- 
ing, to use his own words, " unbuttoned 
many a bear's shirt collar." Upon one oc- 
casion returning late in the evening from 
his day's work, he heard a bear clambering 
down a tree close at hand. He could hear 
his claws clinging in the bark, and could 
just discern in the darkness the dim out- 
lines of his unwieldy figure. He was alone 
in the forest, a great ways from home ; 
thoughts of the dear ones there awaiting 
him nerved his arm. He dealt the bear 
a powerful blow with his ax, and fled. 
Returning next morning to the "scene of 
carnage," they found he had decapitated a 
huge hedge-hog, and pinned him to the 
tree with his ax. Mr. Hildreth resided 
on the place he had cleared up until his 
death in 1844. 

WILLIAM GOLD, 

known as Deacon Gold, came to town with 
Samuel Robertson, and after working for 
him one year, bought a piece of land, a 
mile east of Dog river, and built a log- 
cabin. This is where he had a famous 
bear fight. The bears had been making 
havoc with the Deacon's cornfield, and he 
swore a "pious oath" [made a pious re- 
solve would be better for a deacon] , the 
thieves should be captured. A trap was 
devised that none but a very wise bear 
would fail of walking straight into, for a 
taste of the tempting bait. The bear that 
came was not a wise one, for when the 



Deacon appeared on the ground next 
morning, bright and early, sure enough 
there was a great surly fellow, with one of 
his hind paws fast in the trap. The Deacon 
seized a club and rushed forward, old 
bruin equally ready and delighted with an 
interview, striking the club from his hand 
like a flash, cordially clasped the Deacon 
in his furry arms, and had about squeezed 
the life out of him, when the hired man, 
Paddleford, came to the rescue with an 
axe. "Don't cut the hide!" gasped the 
Deacon, as bruin clasped him in a still 
more fervid embrace. The hide was cut 
in several places before the poor Deacon 
was released, who, though "pure grit," 
came out of the combat in a sadly demol- 
ished condition, and carried the marks ot 
bear teeth and claws to his grave. 

From yohn Gregory's History of Noi'thfield. 
DEA. WILLIAM GOLD, 

born in Springfield, Mass., Oct. 30, 1780; 
came to Roxbury in 1801, and settled 
upon one of the highest mountains in that 
town. He was a deacon of the Baptist 
church. Any one at this day looking the 
mountain land over where he located, can 
see under what discouraging circumstances 
this early settler was placed. 

In 1847, he removed to Northfield. He 
married Annevera Dewey, who was born 
in 1780 ; had 7 children : Annevera, Wil- 
liam, Sherman, Buel, Joseph, Mary, Sophia, 
all born in Roxbury. Deacon Gold died 
in 1859; Mrs. Gold in 1856. 

JOHN B. CRANDALL 

moved into town in 1804; was eccentric, 
quite a pettifogger, and always called 
"Judge." One time, having a lawsuit, 
he became disgusted with his counsel, con- 
sidered an able lawyer, paid him off and 
dismissed him before the suit was fairly 
commenced, plead his own case, and won 
it. Another time he went to Waitsfield to 
take charge of a lawsuit. Knowing his 
opponent, an attorney from Montpelier, to 
be extremely fastidious in his tastes and 
manner of dress, he chose the other ex- 
treme, an awfully shabby coat, and trow- 
sers that suggested the idea that some 
time in an earlier stage of existence they 



ROXBURY. 



741 



had been the property of a Methodist 
preacher — they had certainly done a great 
deal of knee service — a dilapidated hat, a 
boot on one foot, an old shoe on the other, 
completed his outfit. The fine gentleman 
strutting back and forth in dignity, won- 
dered why Mr. Crandall did not arrive, 
when some one turning to Mr. C, intro- 
duced them. The Montpelier attorney 
looked at Mr. C, surprise and contempt 
expressed in every feature. " What, that 
creature V he at last blurted out ; "why, 
he lion't know enough to say boo to a 
goose." The " Judge " drew his grotesque 
figure to its full height, made a low bow, 
and said " boo ! " very emphatically in the 
face of the offended lawyer, which brought 
down the house, and the sleek gentleman 
was yet more discomfited when he lost 
his case, and the "Judge " won the laurels 
he had anticipated. 

Mr. CrandalTs widow married Jonathan 
Lamson, of Fayston, where she died a few 
years since, at the advanced age of 108. 
(See History of Fayston.) 

LEWIS CHATFIELD 

came to town in 1810, and settled on the 
farm now occupied by his son, Lewis. He 
was a man of peculiarities, but sterling 
worth. He, like many of the early set- 
tlers, had a hard struggle to feed and 
clothe his family. One winter he fortu- 
nately captured a huge bear, whose meat 
and lard kept grim want from the door till 
spring. He made a business of hop rais- 
ing the last 40 years, and through indus- 
try and frugality, acquired a competence. 
He died in 1880, aged 94. 

BILLA WOODARD 

came from Tolland, Conn., in 1802; set- 
tled on East Hill, and was for many years 
engaged in the manufacture of saddle-trees, 
and the only one in New England for a 
long time in that business. 

HON. CHARLES SAMSON 

came here in 1810. Z. S. Stanton, in his 
Historical Centennial Address, thus speaks 
of him : 

He accompanied his father, Benjamin 
Franklin, who was a veteran of the Revolu- 
tion, and participated in the battle of Lex- 
ington and Bunker Hill. 



Mr. Samson bought the place where 
L. A. Rood now lives. The previous oc- 
cupant was Dr. Stafford, who kept a tav- 
ern, and the first in town. Charles Sam- 
.son settled where Mr. Wetmore lives. He 
has been closely identified with the affairs 
of this town ever since, and is still per- 
mitted to be with us. He has rejjresented 
the town in the legislature of the State for 
13 sessions, and has held many other im- 
portant positions in the town and county. 
It was owing to his exertions that Roxbury 
was transferred from Orange to Washing- 
ton County, in 1820. In those days the 
main road through the west part of the 
town, which was also the stage road, led 
from where A. J. Averill now lives past 
where the residences of W. I. Simonds and 
S. G. Stanton now are, and intercepted 
the mountain road near where Mrs. Brack- 
ett now lives, thence up where the present 
road is as far as the old mill above Royal 
Batchelders house, and then past the pres- 
ent residence of O. A. Staples, clown to 
the " Branch road," where Samuel Ed- 
wards now lives. From here it followed 
its present course. There was also a road 
through the eastern part of the town, and 
also the central part, where E. K. Young 
now resides. Elijah Ellis lived where 
Mrs. Brackett now does. He built the 
house at this place, and it was the first 
house built in town that was arranged for 
the use of stoves, I am informed. He had 
no fireplace or "stack of chimneys," as 
they were called, and people thought it a 
great departure from the old ways. He 
built the first clover-mill that was erected 
in this town, on the site now occupied by 
S. N. Miller's carriage-shop. He also 
erected a saw-mill at this place. 

BENONI WEBSTER, 

(BY A. WEBSTER.) 

A native of Connecticut, brought his fam- 
ily to Roxbury in the spring of 1797. He 
had previou.sly lived in Hartland, Vt., a 
few years. 

He settled in the N. E. part of the tbwn 
on lot No. 3, of the ist range, now owned 
by James Steele, which he had bought in 
1796, then an unbroken wilderness. His 
first house was logs, roofed with bark, and 
floored with split basswood, smoothed with 
an axe. In 1810, he built a large framed- 
house. making the rooms about 2 feet 
higher than it was usual to make them at 
that time, so that "Uncle Sam Metcalf (of 
Royalton), could stand up in them with 
his hat on." The doors were also made 
unusually high, so that his wife's tall rela- 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tions could come in without stooping, as 
he said. He was the first to plant fruit 
trees in town, a large apple orchard, and 
pear and plum trees in the garden being 
among his earlier improvements. 

It is said that at the time of the mem- 
orable great November snow-storm, the 
effects of which may still be seen in our 
forests in bent and distorted trees, while 
the family were at dinner, the young apple 
trees were discovered to be breaking down 
beneath the fast accumulating snow, and 
the boys left their bowls of " hominy and 
milk" to shake the apple trees, which were 
saved only by repeating the shaking at 
short intervals through the afternoon and 
evening. 

In 1804, his entire stock of cattle, con- 
sisting of a yoke of 4-years-old oxen and of 
2 cows, were bitten by a mad dog that came 
along, and all died and were buried in one 
hole together. 

Mr. Webster died Jan. 8, 1823, aged 60 
years, 9 months, 21 days, leaving a wife, 
who died in 1838, aged 66 years, and 6 
sons and 4 daughters, all of whom lived to 
have families of their own. Of these but 
two, Edmund Webster, of Randolph, and 
Benoni Webster, of Northfield, are known 
to be now living ; but the descendants of 
the third and fourth generations are widely 
scattered through the country from New 
Hampshire in the East to California in the 
West, and from Minnesota in the north to 
Texas in the South ; but one family, that 
of the writer, being left in Roxbury. 

CHARLES WEBSTER. 
BY A. WEBSTER. 

Charles, oldest son of Benoni and Sally 
Metcalf Webster, was born June 5, 1790, 
at Lebanon Parish, Conn., and came to 
Roxbury with his father when 7 years old, 
and was educated in the common schools 
of district No. i and the home college by 
his father's hearth, reading by the light of 
the open fire during the autumn and winter 
evenings. It was his custom to keep a 
supply of birch bark to furnish light when 
the usual fire was insufficient. 

Being the oldest boy and large of his 
age, he was his father's chief assistant in 
clearing away the forest and making a cul- 



tivated farm. One of his recreations at 
this time was fishing in the stream that 
runs through the valley half a mile north of 
his father's farm, where the brook trout 
were so abundant that he often hired one 
of the Adams boys to help him carry his 
fish up the hill, home. 

The wolves made havoc with the sheep 
of the neighborhood, and he and the Gallup 
boys devised a plan to capture them. They 
built a conical pen of saplings, about 6 feet 
high, and placed in it a couple of lambs to 
entice the wolves into the trap, shrewdly 
calculating while it would be easy for the 
wolves to run up the inclined sides and 
leap down into the pen, it would not be so 
easy for them, after gorging with mutton, 
to leap out. 

Sanguine of success, they visited the 
trap every morning, expecting to find a 
large pack of fierce wolves safely corraled 
and howling with rage. This for several 
mornings. At length, one morning when 
they came to inspect, beginning to wonder 
why the wolves were so slow in getting in ; 
the trap seemed to be empty. No lambs 
appeared skipping around within, and after 
a close examination, there appeared only a 
few bones and shreds of wool. The wolves 
had doubtless climbed upon the shoulders 
of each other and got out. Their two lambs 
were gone for nought. Not to be foiled in 
this way, the boys immediately built a 
much stronger and higher pen, but the 
wolves were not heard from afterwards, and 
it was supposed they left the place in dis- 
gust. 

He commenced teaching school when 
quite young, and followed it for fourteen 
winters, acquiring such a reputation as a 
teacher and disciplinarian that his services 
were often sought for in schools where 
other teachers had failed. 

On one occasion, it is said that some 
large boys burned his ferule, and made 
other preparations for carrying him out, 
as they had a previous teacher. The 
game commenced promptly, but a leg 
hastily wrenched from a bench did such 
etfective service that there was no further 
use for instruments of discipline during 
that term. 



ROXBURY. 



743 



In Aug. 1823, he married Eleanor P. 
Ryder, and settled on his farm in East 
Roxbury, half a mile below the mills where 
his son, Aaron, now resides, where he 
lived till the next spring, when, having 
bought a part of the farm of his father's 
estate, he moved on to it, and lived there 
until the spring of 1830, when he returned 
to his first farm, where he lived until his 
death, Nov. 5, 1834. 

About 1830, he raised from his famous 
"Wild Air" mare twin colts, of which he 
was proud ; but one of which, a noble and 
powerful animal, but skittish and uncon- 
trollable when frightened, was the occasion 
of his instantaneous death, by being thrown 
from his wagon in the night, near the Peck 
farm in Brookfield. He had often ex- 
pressed a presentiment that he should die 
by accident, and was the last of three 
cousins, the oldest sons of three sisters, to 
be killed instantly by accident. 

SPAULDING FAMILY. 

Darius Spaulding was from Plainfield, 
Conn., married Hannah Ingraham from 
Providence, R. I. They had a number of 
children when they came here, in 1799. 
Mr. Spaulding came in the fall, slashed a 
piece, built a log-house, and moved his 
family the next spring. Nearly, and per- 
haps all the Spauldings in town at the 
present day, and they are very numerous, 
are descendants of Darius and Hannah 
Spaulding. They reared a family of 8 
sons and 3 daughters. 

Gilbert, the eldest, married Renda Mc 
Clure, moved to New York, and died at 
the ripe age of 90. He was a great chop- 
per, even for those days, when all were 
supposed to know how to wield an ax. It 
is said 8 cords only made him a fair day's 
work, nothing at all to boast of. 

Darius Jr. married Betsey Spaulding, 
and they lived and died at a good old age, 
in Roxbury. Two of their sons still live 
in town, Charles and Samuel. 

John, "the 3d son of Darius Sen., mar- 
ried Betsey McClure, of Stafford, Conn. 
They commenced keeping hotel in 1822, 
near where Julius Kent now lives. They 
had also a saw and grist-mill. 

Mr. Burnham, merchant at Roxbury vil- 



lage, says, when a small boy, he went there 
with his grist, and Mrs. Spaulding who 
was an energetic little woman, took his 
grain, carried it into the mill, ground it 
and brought it back to him. 

Mr. Spaulding built the Summit House 
in 1830, where he remained until a few 
years previous to his death, in 1864. His 
widow is still living, hale and happy, loved 
and respected.- Her friends celebrated 
her 90th birth-day the 9th of last Sept. 
[1881.] She has had 5 children, all of 
whom are living, Erastus N. Billings, Mrs. 
P. Wiley, Mrs. Brackett and Mrs. A. N. 
Tilden. All living in their native town, 
clustered about their aged mother. 

Philip married Polly Nichols, of North- 
field, is now living in Hermon, N. Y., 84 
years of age . 

Erastus, the 4th son, built the house 
where Dea. Edwards now lives, and kept 
a hotel there several years. He married a 
widow, Whitcomb, by name, from Waits- 
field. They removed to DeKalb, N. Y., 
where he died a short time since, at an ad- 
vanced age. 

Allen was their first child, born in this 
town in 1804, and married Hannah Sam- 
son in 1828 ; moved on to the Rood place, 
and kept a small store 3 years ; then built 
a store in the village, which he occupied 
for ID years, near the R. R. crossing, 
where Geo. Butterfield now resides. He 
represented the town 4 years. He enlist- 
ed, in '61, in Co. H, 6 Vt. Reg., as major ; 
was appointed sergeant with captain's pay. 

At one time during the war, he was or- 
dered to take a small squad of men, and 
go in search of cattle for beef, as it had been 
a long time the regiment had subsisted on 
salt meat and "hard tack." They travelled 
till nearly night before they got track of 
what they were in quest of, and they found 
themselves 25 miles from camp in the en- 
emy's territory. Being told a woman near 
by owned a fine flock of sheep, he took a 
couple of men and called on her. She 
with her two daughters sat on a rustic seat 
in a beautiful garden, surrounded with the 
appearances of wealth and luxury. He 
made known his errand, when out of her 
mouth poured a torrent of oaths and the 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



coarsest invectives that he had ever heard 
a woman utter, abusing him and the Union 
army in general. A servant rode up on an 
elegant horse, and dismounting, asked his 
mistress " if she knew she was addressing 
Union officers?" She said she knew it 
very well. The Major informed her he 
came to buy her sheep, but as she had 
none to sell to " Union men," he should 
take them without if they suited him, and 
ordering one of his men to mount the 
horse her servant had just dismounted 
from, they rode oft", amid the hysterical 
screams of the mother and daughters. 
They camped for the night on an old planta- 
tion, about 2 miles from there, but had 
pickets out to keep an eye on the move- 
ments of the enemy. After all was quiet 
at the plantation, 200 mounted darkies 
came, and attempted to retake the widow's 
property, but at the first crack of a rifle, 
they " skedaddled." The Major got back 
to camp with 25 head of fat cattle, and pre- 
sented the beautiful pony to the Colonel. 

At another time there were 100 men 
sick, and the surgeon said they would all 
die unless they had milk. The Major was 
ordered to take 10 men and go and buy 
milk for the sick. They went to a planta- 
tion where 100 cows were kept, just as 
they were coming off the ranche to be 
milked. They asked to buy milk for sick 
soldiers. The surly old fellow said he had 
" no milk to sell Union soldiers." The 
Major went back, got a permit from the 
Provost Marshal, and was there early 
the next morning ; selected 10 fine cows, 
and in spite of the old gentleman's pro- 
testing, drove them to camp. The sick 
had milk freely, and when they were or- 
dered to Florida, in 6 weeks from that 
time, every man but one was able to go. 
The Major turned over his dairy to the 
Provost Marshal, according to army regu- 
lations, and the surly old fellow who would 
not sell milk to sick soldiers, never re- 
covered his lost kine. 

So carefully did Major Spaulding look 
after the interests of the soldiers, he was 
called the father of the regiment. He is 
now living, hale and hearty, at the age of 
']'], and the oldest person living but one 



who was born in town, and has lived there 
the most part of his life. 

SAMUEL ROBERTSON, 

(BY ORAMEL RICHARDSON.) 

Son of Patrick and Elizabeth Robertson, 
natives of Scotland, was born in New 
London, Ct., Aug. 18, 1775. He lost his 
father when quite young. His mother 
married again, and lived in Staff"ord, Ct., 
where he lived till he came to this town. 
Aug. 1 80 1, he married Persis Richardson, 
of Tolland, Ct., and the next March they 
moved here, on to the place now owned 
by John Cumins, on East Hill. Their 
first business after getting settled was 
sugaring. They made 16 pounds, their 
stock of sugar for that year. 

There were only five or si.x families in 
that part of the town. Mr. Samuel Rich- 
ardson had a few years before begun a set- 
tlement in the extreme west part of the 
town, and that at this time was the "center" 
of civilization, and here Mr. Robertson 
taught a school during the winter of 
1802 and '3. The school-house was the 
first framed building in town, and stood 
very nearly where the Royal Batchelder 
house now does. He had 68 scholars, 
and the room being small, they were 
packed like " herrings in a box," and came 
from five or six miles around in different 
directions. He lived some 3 miles dis- 
tant, and walked to and from his school 
each day through the deep snows, with no 
track most of the way except what he made 
himself. He taught here two or three 
succeeding winters, and during the time 
moved into the school-house he had occu- 
pied, and lived there a few years, when he 
bought the land now owned by Hira G. 
Ellis, and made a permanent settlement, 
clearing up the forests and erecting com- 
fortable buildings. His house was on the 
old road leading by where Dea. W. I. 
Simonds and S. G. Stanton now live. He 
moved his buildings, about 1834, down on 
to the county road, where they now stand. 
Here he lived until within 12 years of his 
death. 

He possessed a vigorous mind, and was 
very fond of investigation and argument, 



ROXBURY. 



745 



especially on religious subjects. His house 
was known far and wide as the "minister's 
tavern," and ministers of all "evangelical 
sects" usually made it their home when 
in that vicinity, and nothing suited him 
better than to have some stiff Baptist or 
Calvinist stop over night. On all such oc- 
casions, as soon as supper was over, chores 
done and candles lighted, the gauntlet was 
sure to be thrown down, and then came 
the " tug of war" — generally the old clock 
in the " square room" struck twelve before 
the battle ceased, and then only from ex- 
haustion, and never because either party 
considered themselves vanquished. He 
was a great reader, and never failed or 
feared to express his opinion on any sub- 
ject up for public discussion, and never 
failed to cast his vote every year after he 
attained his majority until his death. He 
was once in the state of New York, teach- 
ing, when an election occurred, and altho' 
but a temporary resident of the state, so 
great was his interest in the election, he 
purchased a piece of land for the sole pur- 
pose of being qualified to vote (a property 
qualification being then necessary in that 
state) . 

He held many town offices in the early 
part of his life, but was rather too pro- 
nounced and positive in his opinions of 
men and measures to be "popular" in po- 
litical circles. He took an active part in 
the first temperance movement which agi- 
tated New England. He had previous to 
that time been a temperate user of ardent 
spirits, but when the subject was presented 
to him, he at once gave it his unqualified 
support, and conferring "not with flesh 
and blood," he banished every drop from 
his house, and going farther, he abandon- 
ed the use of tobacco, breaking a habit of 
30 years standing. 

There is an anecdote about his using 
tobacco : Some 60 years ago, Moses Claf- 
lin, a simple man who lived in this town, 
who occasionally made his home with Mr. 
R., one evening sat by the fire in a 
"brown study," and Esq. Roberston sat 
opposite, quietly chewing, and now and 
then spitting into the broad fireplace. At 
last Moses looked up and asked, "Squire, 



what did you learn to chew tobaker for?" 
Mr. Roberston replied, " Oh, so's to be a 
gentleman." Moses studied the matter a 
moment and with great gravity replied, 
" W'al, ye did'nt make out, did ye?" 

Mrs. Roberston died Dec, 1859, ^^^i" ^ 
married life of almost 60 years, during 
which she had borne her full share of the 
duties and cares of their lot. 

Twice after they came to Vermont she 
made the journey to the home of her 
youth in Connecticut on horseback, a feat 
our lady equestrians of to-day would hardly 
care to undertake. 

Ever after the death of his wife, Mr. R. 
seemed to lose his hold of things earthly, 
and to be quietly waiting for the realiza- 
tion of the faith which had been an anchor 
to him and his companion during their 
long pilgrimage together. He was a life- 
long Christian. He maintained his mental 
faculties to a remarkable degree up to 
within a few weeks of his death, and was 
during his latter years very cheerful, very 
grateful for kindnesses he received, and at 
last passed away as an infant sinks to 
slumber, beloved by all who knew him, 
Sept. 6, 1872, aged 97 years, 19 days. 

Seth Richardson came here in 1802 ; 
settled near Braintree, in the south part of 
the town; died May 25, 1829, and Sarah, 
his wife, died July i, 1836. Their chil- 
dren were: Phila, Hannah, Joel, Alva. 

JosiAH Shaw came to town in 1800; 
lived in the East part, and was quite a 
prominent man. Henry Boyce, son of Dr. 
Boyce, was also a prominent man in the 
East part of the town. He died in i860. 

Jonathan F. Ruggles was a resident 
of the east part of the town, and perhaps 
no man enjoyed in a greater degree the 
confidence of his fellow-townsmen, there 
being no office of importance but he had 
at some time filled. He died in North- 
field. 

ALVIN BRIGHAM 

came here when a young man, about 
the year 1823, from Fayston. He was 
born in Old Marlborough, Mass., and a 
brother of Elisha Brigham (for whose bio- 
graphical sketch see Fayston, this vol.) 
Alvin Brigham married Flora Baxter, of 



94 



746 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Fayston. They moved on to the present 
Wetmore place. He was a man scrupu- 
lously honest, a leader in the church, and 
for many years leader of the choir. They 
had 9 children. 

The eldest son, Ozro, fell in the last 
war. Don, the youngest son, served 
through the rebellion, but died a short 
time after his return. Bravely like a true 
soldier he yielded up his young life with- 
out a murmur, when life was fairest ; ere 
the clouds had dimmed the horizon of his 
sky, bade them all- his dear ones — a 
smiling "good-bye," and went out into 
the great "unknown." 

Two other children died during an ep- 
idemic of fever — Flora Ann, i8, and Al- 
phonso, 14 years of age. One son and 
three daughters now reside in Lowell, 
Mass., and the second son, William, lives 
in the edge of Northfield. Mr. Brigham 
was a great sufferer for several years be- 
fore his death. When the summons came, 
and told he might live an hour, he said, 
" O ! can I wait so long before I shall be 
with my Father?" He died in 1871 ; his 
wife survived him only a few months. 

EBENEZER L. WATERMAN 

is one of the early — not earliest — settlers. 
He came from Connecticut, as did most of 
them, but when he was very small. He 
has been a great musician in his day, and 
people are scarce in Central Vermont who 
have not heard of " Uncle Eb." Waterman 
and his violin. And even now, when he 
is between 80 and 90 years of age, the 
young people delight to gather in " Uncle 
Eb.'s" ample kitchen, and " trip the light 
fantastic toe," or listen to the still sweet 
strains of his old violin. At the age of 45 he 
married a wife of 18. They had 6 children. 
Bert Waterman, leader of the Howard 
Opera House Orchestra at Burlington, is 
his only living son, and probably has not 
his peer in the State as violin player. 

ORCUTT FAMILY. 

Capt. Job came from Stafford, Conn., in 
1803 ; was a carpenter by trade. He set- 
tled on the high lands then, and for many 
years, the centre of the town. He had 7 
sons and 4 daughters. 



Samuel M. Orcutt, with whom he 
spent his declining years, was one of the 
stirring business men of those times, hold- 
ing various important offices from time to 
time. He was town clerk for 20 years, 
and town meetings were held at his house 
for a long time. At the time of the " in- 
vasion" at Plattsburgh in 181 2, he went 
out as Captain of Roxbury Co. (said com- 
pany including every man in town except- 
ing Samuel Richardson, who much re- 
gretted that he was too aged, and Job 
Orcutt, a lame man.) Capt. Samuel Or- 
cuttmarried Mary Buel, of Lebanon, Conn., 
and the bride came to her new home on 
horseback. They reared a family of 7 
boys and 2 girls. The eldest daughter 
married Wm. Gold, of Northfield, where 
she now resides. 

Samuel A. received an injury while 
assisting at a "raising," from a falling 
timber, from which he never recovered. 
He died in 1835. 

Benjamin F. went to Michigan just pre- 
vious to the Mexican war ; enlisted and 
served through the war ; returned to Kal- 
amazoo, Mich., where he was elected 
county sheriff, and filled that office many 
years. When the rebellion broke out, he 
again enlisted, and went out as Lieut. Col. 
of the 25th Mich. Reg't., serving under 
Gen. Sherman until the war was over, 
when he returned to Kalamazoo, and was 
again elected high sheriff, and Dec. 12, 
1867, was fatally shot, while on official 
duty, by a desperado who was trying to 
assist prisoners to escape from the jail. 
He died in the prime of a noble manhood, 
'igcd 53. James, 3d son, died when quite 
young. 

Orrin has lived in town most of the 
time since his birth. He has been sheriff 
and deputy 25 years ; postmaster 26 years, 
occupying that position at the present 
time. 

Wm. B. has always resided in his native 
town ; has 3 times represented the town in 
the legislature, and 2 years been county 
judge. 

Stephen P. remained at the old family 
homestead many years, but now resides in 
Northfield. The aged mother spent her 



ROXBURY. 



747 



last days with him, dying, at the age of 
96, in 1879. Jasper H. was the 7th son. 
He moved to Northiield. 

SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 

No. I district, in the east part of the 
town, was set off in 1801, then known as 
Daniel Kingsbury district, afterwards as 
Wales district, No. i. In 1802 a district 
was set off in the N. W. part of the town, 
where Samuel Richardson now lives, known 
as N. West district. No. 2. In 1805, an- 
other district was formed in the S. E. part 
of the town, known as David Cram's dis- 
trict. No. 3. The same year it was voted 
all the inhabitants not in regular districts 
should form one district, No. 4. There 
have been alterations from year to year 
and new districts organized. There are 
now II districts and logood school-houses 
in town. 

The number of scholars in 1807 were 
108; 1811, 104; 1816, 157; 1831,431; 
1849,418; 1850, 351; i860, 336; 1880, 
251 ; the average since 18 16 to 188 1, 340 
scholars yearly. 

EARLY TAVERNS AND LATER HOTELS. 

The first tavern in town was where 
Conway now lives, what is known as the 
" Rood place,'' John Stafford, proprietor. 
The next was kept by Darius Spaulding, 
where Frank Snow now lives. John Spaul- 
ding kept the third hotel, opposite where 
Mr. Pearsons now lives, on the mountain 
road. 

In East Roxbury, Stillman Ruggles, 
E. B. Pride, Samuel P. Wales, Shubael 
Wales, Alpheus Kendall, kept a public 
house on the Samuel Edwards place. 

The Summit House, built in 1822, by 
John Spaulding, and occupied by him, 
has been kept by Stephen Fuller, Chester 
Clark, Page J. C. Rice, E. G. Sanborn, 
Van Ness Spaulding, Edwin Ferris, James 
P. Warner, Thomas Wilson, E. N. Spaul- 
ding, Spaulding & Colby, Spaulding & 
Nichols, Warner & Spaulding, Mrs. J. P. 
Warner, present proprietor, and D. A. 
Spaulding. 

EARLY MERCHANTS. 
The first in town was Asa Taylor, near 
where E.N. Spaulding's steam-mill stands. 



The next was Robertson & Orcutt, who 
also had a potash run, and manufactured 
salts. Allen Spaulding, Orrin Orcutt, were 
the next in order among the first settlers. 
Partridge built the store where the post- 
office now is, and occupied it for several 
years. Then Brackett & Thorp, E. N. 
Spaulding, Benjamin Spear, Seth Holman 
and J. A. White, Union Store. 

CEMETERIES. 

In 1804, the town laid out three burying- 
grounds ; one in the west part of the town, 
on Uriah Richardson's farm, near where 
O. A. Staples now lives ; one in the east 
part of the town, on the road from Roxbury 
to Braintree, near where Mr. Bowman now 
lives, and one in the centre of the town, 
on the Billa Woodard farm. Some years 
later another was located on the Haynes 
farm — the lot given by the Haynes family, 
and the only one in use at the present 
time in the west part of the town. There 
was also one laid out in the east part of 
the town, near the Henry Boyce place, 
about the same time. Albert Averill has 
been sexton for many years. 

EPIDEMICS. 

This has ever been called a healthful 
locality; and with good reason, -yet at dif- 
ferent times it has been visited by epidem- 
ics. The dysentery swept through the 
town, carrying off many victims, in 1823. 
The diphtheria has appeared at different 
times in epidemic form, and desolated 
many homes. 

PHYSICIANS 

who have lived here : John Stafford was 
the first. How well versed in the science 
of medicine he may have been there is no 
record ; but there is no doubt but he dealt 
out "pills and potions " to the early set- 
tlers with a generous hand, to say nothing 
of cupping, blistering and bleeding. 

Next came Dr. David McClure, from 
Stafford, Conn., the father of Mrs. John 
Spaulding, who remained in town during 
the rest of his life. 

Dr. Hunter lived several years where E. 
L. Waterman now lives, and was consid- 
ered a skillful physician, as was Dr. Boyce, 
of the East part, who practiced there at the 
same time. 



748 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



For several years there was no physician 
in town. Dr. White came for a few 
months, in 1868, and Dr. S. N. Welch in 
1870," and remained a few years, building 
the house where Mr. Frink now lives, and 
he had a very good practice. 

Dr. George Maloy, of Montpelier, was 
the next. He was a student of Dr. Wood- 
ard, of Montpelier, but remained only a 
few months. 

Dr. Ira H. Fiske came from Hardwick 
in 1878, and is the only physician in town 
at the present time, and is the only hom- 
oeopathic physician that ever settled in 
town, and has been very successful. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Samuel Richardson built the first saw 
and grist-mill in town, i^ miles from the 
village, on the Warren road. He after- 
wards built another on the west branch of 
Dog River, about half a mile from the vil- 
lage. Elijah Ellis built a saw and clover- 
mill in 18 18, where S. N. Miller's carriage 
shop now is. The clover-mill was swept 
away by freshet in 1830; the saw-mill had 
the same fate in 1832 ; latter was rebuilt. 

John McNeal erected a frame for a saw- 
mill in the " four mile woods," on a branch 
of Dog River, in 1825, Samuel Orcutt fin- 
ished it, and it done good business until 
1830; it was swept away by a freshet, 
which seemed the common fate of mills of 
those days. David Wellington built a 
saw-mill in 1825, near where E. N. Spaul- 
ding's steam-mill now stands. 

Charles Colton put a grist-mill into the 
same building shortly afterwards. Amos 
Wellington built a saw-mill on the West 
hill in 1839, now owned by Asahel Flint. 
Josiah Shaw built a clover-mill on east 
branch of Dog River, in the East part of 
the town. 

John M. Spaulding, in 1822, built a saw- 
mill near the Richardson grist-mill, and 
another, several years afterwards, in the 
village, now owned by J. G. Hall. 

John Prince built a saw-mill, in 1849, 
near where Spaulding's mill now stands, 
and also manufactured butter-tubs, now 
owned by E. P. Burnham for a clap-board 
mill. 

Samuel Robertson and Leicester Davis 



erected a building in 1820, on the farm 
where W. I. Simonds now lives, for the 
purpose of manufacturing wooden bowls 
and plates. But it did not prove a success 
and was given tip in a few years. Jotham 
Ellis built a mill in 18 — for manufacturing 
wooden boxes, clothes-pins, turning bed- 
posts, &c. Later it was used by Siloam 
Spaulding for a carriage shop, and by 
Philander Wiley for turning, &c. 

Stillman Ruggles built a carriage shop 
in the east part of the town in 1830, and 
carried on the carriage business until 1850. 
Samuel Ruggles and S.N. Miller carried 
on the same business there afterwards. 

S. N. Miller commenced carriage-mak- 
ing near the Elijah Ellis saw -mill in i860, 
and still continues at the business there. 

Howard Warriner had a cabinet-shop in 
the south-east part of the town, and Mr. 
Wright built a saw-mill on the same stream 
west of Warriner's shop. 

Luther and David Ellis built a saw-mill 
on the middle branch of Dog river in 1850 ; 
Laban Webster & F. A. Wiley on middle 
branch of Dog river in 1869; Ebenezer 
Brackett in the south part of the town in 
1848 ; sold to Thomas Gushing, of Dover, 
N. H. A vast amount of bridge timber, 
plank and ties were sawed here for the Vt. 
Central when being built. E. N. Spaul- 
ding and Samuel R. Batchelder built a 
steam-mill in the south-west part of the 
town in 1849. Henry Smith built a saw- 
mill on "Tracy Hill" in 1823; burned in 
1835; Joseph Wardner a saw and grist- 
mill in the east part of the town, now 
owned by Jacob Wardner, and Bezaleel 
Spaulding a saw-mill on his farm in 1848. 

Benjamin H. Warriner built a shop near 
the "old Hutchinson place" in 1829, for 
the manufacture of sleighs, chairs and 
furniture of all kinds, and in 1835 put in 
machinery for manufacturing window-sash, 
blinds, etc. 

James Cram built a saw-mill on the 
brook above the Hutchinson place in 1830. 

Daniel Kingsley commenced wool card- 
ing in 1800, in the east part of the town. 

Harrison and Charles Fields built a 
steam saw-mill about a mile below E. N. 
Spaulding's in , and after carrying on 



ROXBURY. 



749 



an extensive business for two years, moved 
, it to Richmond. 

E.N. Spaulding's steam saw-mill, built 
in 1866, has turned off yearly an average 
of 1,500,000 feet of lumber. He has also 
manufactured croquet to a considerable 
extent. 

William Bruce & Sons built a steam- 
mill in the south part of the town in 1877. 
It was burned in 1880, and rebuilt. This 
mill, as well as E. N. Spaulding's, has fur- 
nished employment foragreat many hands. 
Ira Williams & Victor Spear are now 
erecting a steam saw-mill in the south-east 
part of the town. 

Dan Tarbell erected a steam saw-mil! 
near the railroad crossing in the village in 
1881, not yet thorougly completed. 

Charles Samson owned a distillery and 
manufactured potato whisky on the west 
hill, near what is now called "Wetmore 
place." 

Billa Woodard manufactured saddle- 
trees several years, and Eleazer Woodard 
later carried on the .same business. 

Ephraim Morris & Nathan Kendall 
owned a tannery at the foot of East Hill, 
on land now owned by Wm. B. Orcutt. 
They carried on the business only a few 
years . 

In 1853, immense veins of 

VERD ANTIQUE MARBLE 

were discovered. A large building was 
erected, with steam power for working the 
marble. It was found to be very beauti- 
ful, and capable of receiving a high polish. 
Monuments, tables, mantels, etc., man- 
ufactured were extremely beautiful, but the 
company became involved in debt, and 
the property was sold in 1856, to pay 
liabilities. It was purchased by an asso- 
ciation under the name of " Verd Antique 
Marble Company," for the amount pre- 
viously expended. It was then managed 
by a joint stock company, but finally sus- 
pended business in 1857. 

THE Vl^ATCH FACTORY 

was built in 1867. It is located in a lovely 
and picturesque place, a short distance 
west from the depot. 12 hands are now 
employed there. Aug. i, 1879, a partner- 
ship was formed, under the title, "J. G. 



Hall Mfg. Co.," between J. G. Hall and 
his son, F. W. Hall, for the manufacture 
of watchmakers' tools, principally a " Stak- 
ing Tool," the invention of J. G. Hall, 
which meets with a ready sale, owing to 
the very fine workmanship and correctness 
exercised in their manufacture, they being 
worthless unless exact. These tools are 
in use in nearly every State in the Union, 
and also in Canada, France and England. 
They also manufacture a variety of small 
tools for watch-repairers' use. The Co. 
had a sample of their tools on exhibition 
at the State Fair in 1880, receiving the 
only gold medal awarded in Mechanics' 
Hall. 

THE FIRST MAIL ROUTE 

through Roxbury was up the first branch 
of White river from W. Randolph, through 
Braintree and Kingston (now Granville), 
up the old road to John Spaulding's hotel, 
near the Royal Batchelder place. John 
Spaulding was postmaster. Guy Edson 
carried the first mail in 1826. It being 
known the mail was to arrive at such a 
time, there was a great gathering and re- 
joicing, and a little new rum as a matter 
of course. The route continued down the 
old road east to Elijah Ellis' (now Mrs. 
Brackett's) , thence north by the old Joseph 
Hixon place, Samuel Robertson's, John 
Paine's, Nathan Haynes', and then on to 
the hill near where Clark Wiley now lives, 
to Northfield. The mail run that way 
until about 1830. In 1828, the county 
road from Northfield line to Granville, 
through Roxbury village, was surveyed by 
David M: Lane, county surveyor. In 
1830, John Spaulding having built the 
Summit House, where the village now is, 
the mail commenced running on that road, 
with a daily stage of 4 or 6-horse coach 
for some years ; then the stage and mail 
went from West Randolph through East 
Roxbury to Northfield, and the mail was 
carried to West Randolph and back with a 
horse and gig until the railroad was built 
in 1848. The cars came to Roxbury 40 
days before the road was completed to 
Northfield, making it a very lively busi- 
ness place. Teams from as far as Bur- 
lington for freight, 6 and 8-horse teams. 



75° 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



making it very profitable for inn-keepers 
those days. 

OUR LARGE CATAMOUNT. 
A large catamount was killed in town in 
1823. Allen Spaulding gives this account. 
He had been calling on his sweetheart, 
who lived near the "Leonard place." The 
fair Hattie was the best of company, and 
he could hardly credit his senses when he 
started for home and saw the rosy morn- 
ing peeping over the eastern hills. Ashe 
was making rapid strides on, he noticed 
the huge track of some animal in the new 
snow, and the track seemed a new one. 
He examined it closely, and came to the 
conclusion it was a bear track, and thought 
he would get help and capture him. Jo- 
seph Batchelder and himself followed the 
trail all day, but without once getting a 
glimpse of "the bear," and Batchelder 
gave it up in disgust. Spaulding, how- 
ever, renewed the pursuit the next morn- 
ing, accompanied by Capt. Young, who 
had quite an exalted opinion of his own 
prowess and skill in hunting, of bears, es- 
pecially. They struck a new track in the 
light snow, and followed it to a ledge op- 
posite the old steam-mill. Matters were 
becoming quite interesting, but "Capt. 
Sip." declared "by the gods he never 
was afraid of a bear, and if Spaulding 
would go one way he would go the other, 
and start him out," but he took another 
look at the huge track, and his ardor 
cooled a little. He concluded they had 
better keep together. They had not pro- 
ceeded far when they heard a fierce growl 
and a bound, and saw the leaves flying in 
every direction, but by the time they had 
got around the ledge, the animal was out 
of sight, making 20 feet at a leap. Spaul- 
ding thought it could never be a bear, but 
" by the gods it /j," persisted Capt. 
Sip., " and a regular old long fellow, too." 
They followed on till dusk, and gave up 
the chase for that day. The next morn- 
ing tracks were seen near Billa Woodard's, 
on East Hill, and James McNeil, Charles 
Ellis, Ira Spaulding and Orrin Orcutt 
started in pursuit. Charles Ellis getting 
a glimpse of the hunted animaPs tawny 
coat, declared, "the dog had a fox up a 



tree." They soon found they had a rather 
different foe to meet, and that without 
rifles. They had only shot-guns loaded 
with slugs to contend with a huge cata- 
mount, but they gave him a salute from 
two or three, breaking his shoulder, and 
down the fierce animal came, about 20 feet, 
caught on a limb, ran up again, turning on 
his pursuers with open mouth, preparing 
for a spring. One of the party gave him a 
charge of "chain-links" in the open 
mouth, when he turned and jumped the 
other way, tearing huge splinters from a 
fallen tree and the earth up around him in 
every direction in his death agonies. He 
was the largestcatamount ever killed in the 
State previous to the one killed in Barnard 
the present season. They were of the 
same length and height, but the last killed 
was several pounds heavier. He was sold 
at auction to Orrin Orcutt, prepared for 
and kept on exhibition until every one had 
seen him in this vicinity, and then sold to 
Mr. Ralph, of Warren, a man in poor 
health and indigent circumstances, who 
made quite a fortune taking him about the 
country. 

About this time there was also a moose 
killed near the old pond, the man who was 
so fortunate being very destitute. The 
meat (he was a large fellow), was a per- 
fect " God-send " to his family. 

CHURCH HISTORY 

is very meagre here. There have been no 
records kept of the early churches. The 
Methodist and Calvinist Baptist seem to 
have been first organized. The first min- 
ister publicly ordained in town was 

OPHIR SHIPMAN. 

The charter of the town allowed the first 
ordained minister a lot of land, and Rev. 
Lyman Culver was privately ordained, and 
claimed the lot, it is said, but there was 
great dissatisfaction. Mr. O. Richardson 
says they came to his uncle, Samuel Rob- 
ertson, in the night to let him know it, 
and he went to Northfield after 12 o'clock 
at night, and the next day Rev. Ophir 
Shipman was ordained. 

BAPTISTS. 

Rev. Lyman Culver was one of the 
earliest Baptist preachers (probably the 



ROXBURY. 



751 



first), and resided in town several years. 
Friend Blood and Jehial Claflin preached 
considerably from 1835 to '45. A good 
old Baptist lady was " churched " for com- 
muning with the Methodists, and she with 
several others joined the Congregational- 
ists about this time. 

There was a Calvinistic Baptist church 
in town many years, but I find no record 
of it now. Mrs. Woodard is the only 
member of the Baptist church left in town. 
A great revival was. brought about in that 
church in this manner. A little girl over- 
heard her mother and a neighbor talking 
of the necessity for a Christian life, and 
the beauty and purity of a true Christian 
character, and was so deeply impressed 
that she went to praying earnestly in se- 
cret, and came out a shining light, leading 
others of her companions to do likewise, 
until it spread into the most extended re- 
vival ever in town. 

METHODISTS IN ROXBURY. 

As early as 1813, how much earlier I am 
unable to say, the Methodists held their 
meetings at Eleazer Woodard's and David 
Young's. Benjamin F. Hoyt preached in 
18 1 3, Joel Winch from 1820 to '30, E. J, 
Scott in 1830, ';i2, John Smith, called 
Happy John, in 1834, and Hollis Kendall, 
a native of Roxbury, preached here sev- 
eral years. He moved to Maine, and died 
there a few years since. Ariel Fay and 
John Mason preached here at different 
times. None of these, with the exception 
of Hollis Kendall, lived in town. Those 
early Methodists are nearly all gone to 
their reward. Phineas Wiley, or " Father " 
Wiley, as he was called for years, died in 
1 88 1. I think he was the last member of 
the first Methodist church formed in town. 
The first meeting Iiouse was built in 1837, 
a union church. 

CONGREGATIONALISTS. , 

Of the Congregationalist ministers who 
preached here in the early times were Rev. 
Mr. Hobart, of Berlin, Elijah Lyman, of 
Brookfield, Ammi Nichols, of Braintree, 
as early as 1814, and meetings were held 
at Samuel Robertson's and at the old 
school-house that stood north of where 
O. A. Staples now lives. 



THE FREE CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH 

was organized about 1837, by Rev. Ammi 
Nichols, of Braintree, and what remained 
of the Methodists and most of the Baptist 
church joined with them, but they never 
had a settled minister until J 865, when 
Rev. A. Ladd was ordained and installed 
pastor, and remained here until the au- 
tumn of 1879. They built a pleasant and 
convenient house of worship in 1871. 
Samuel Edwards and W. I. Simonds are 
the only deacons ever chosen, both of 
whom now officiate. 

A Christian Church was organized in 
the east part of the town in 1868. Rev. 
Henry Howard is present pastor (1882). 

Rev. Edward Brown, Universalist, 
lived in town several years, where John 
Baird now resides, and preached a part of 
the time. 

The different religious organizations of 
this town have been : Congregationalist, 
Methodist, Episcopal, Free Will Baptist, 
Calvinist Baptist, Christian, Universalist 
and Spiritualist. 

Golden Weddings. — I learn of two 
having been celebrated in this town, that 
of Mr. and Mrs. James Wiley, in 1871, 
and Mr. and Mrs. Otis Batchelder in 1880! 

accidental and sudden deaths and 
suicides. 

BY ZED. S. STANTON, ESQ. 

Joseph Batchelder drowned July 14, 
1822. 

Uriah Richardson died from injuries re- 
ceived while chopping, Jan. 21, 1831. 

Alvah Henry, killed by the fall of a tree 
June 28, 183X. 

Mrs. Belcher, suicide by hanging, about 
1831. 

Charles Webster, killed by being thrown 
from a wagon, Nov. 5, 1834. 

Shubael Wales, suicide by shooting, 
Mar. 18, 1843. 

David Dexter, supposed to have wan- 
dered away in a state of insanity and died 
of exposure, about 1843. 

Royal Flint, frozen to death, Jan. 22, 
1846. 

A man named Jackson was killed by the 
premature discharge of a blast, at the time 



752 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the Central \'ermont Railroad was in pro- 
cess of construction, Jan. 25, 1846. 

An Irishman, name unknown, died of 
exposure in the summer of 1847. 

A young man, name unknown, was 
drowned in what is now known as Hall's 
Pond, about 1848. 

Lewis Hutchinson, killed by the fall of a 
tree, Jan. 26, 1850. 

Charles Green, suicide, by shooting, in 

1854. 

Lutheria Spaulding, aged 5 years, killed 
by falling beneath a loaded wagon, Aug. 
5. 1854. 

Jo.seph Paine, 

Peter S. P. Staples, found dead in the 
woods, Sept. 27, 1856. 

John Campbell, died by poison taken 
accidentally, Apr. 13, 1861. 

Delia Green, found dead, Aug. 17, 
1867. 

A. E. Stockwell, a railroad brakeman, 
killed Nov. 12, 1870. 

Peter Shinah, killed by cars June 29, 
1870. 

Isaac A. Flint, suicide by cutting his 
throat, about 1870. 

Mrs. Plurinna Erskine, suicide by hang- 
ing, Sept. 8, 1872. 

Buel Gold, suicide by hanging, Aug. 
29, 1876. 

Clarence Tracy, a child, death caused 
by scalding, Sept. 26, 1876. 

A Central Vermont Railroad brakeman 
named Sharrow, killed by falling beneath 
the cars, Feb. 5, 188 1. 

A wood chopper named Fox, killed by 
a falling tree, Feb. 21, 1881. 

OLD PEOPLE OF ROXBURY, LIVING 1 882. 

Bet?ey G. Spalding 90 

J. L. York *. 84 

Jotham Ellis Ti 

Samuel Edwards 72 

Sylvester E. Spalding 72 

Paulina E . Spalding 70 

Allen Spalding 11 

Seth Bruce 83 

Polly Gould 78 

Moses L. Metcalf 84 

Saul Morgan 81 

John T. Rood 81 

Clark Wiley 7° 

George B. Stanton 72 

Nancy Hutchinson T^ 

Jonas G. Sanders 72 



Milly Ellis ■]^ 

Ervilla Steel 75 

George Erskine 78 

Hiram Walbridge 76 

E. L. Waterman 83 

Adaline Batchelder -J2, 

Maria Davis 70 

Sarah Flint 74 

Sarah E. Woodward 70 

Peter Provo 78 

Adaline Provo 78 

Betsey Rich 85 

Orrin B. Clark 75 

Sophia Wiley 75 

Oramel Williams 82 

Aphia Williams 80 

Hannah Knowles "j"] 

Hannah York 78 

Sally Fletcher 71 

Almond Mclntire 74 

Edmond Darling 70 

Alvira Darling 'j^ 

Lucy Steel 76 

Mary Boyce 78 

Aura Woodward 70 

ROXBURY BOYS ABROAD. 

Andrew .Stanton, a graduate of Tufts 
College, is now " principal" in the academy 
at Stoughton, Mass. Will Snow gradua- 
ted at Hanover, and is now a civil engi- 
neer in Montana. 

There are a good many graduates of the 
Normal school in town. Will Simonds was 
one, who is now teaching near Chicago, 
111. 

Lucius Jenney went from this town, 
about 20 years ago, to Middlesex, and 
from there to Omaha, Neb., and now oc- 
cupies the position of R. R. Master on 
the Union Pacific R. R. 

Benj. J. Ellis went from here when a 
very young man, enlisted and served 
through the Mexican war ; after its close 
went to Chicago, 111., and took up the pro- 
fession of law. He has assisted in organ- 
izing and sustaining several mission 
schools, some of them now flourishing 
churclies, and he often supplies the pulpit, 
as well as pleads at the Bar. 

S. G. Stanton went to Nebraska in 1879, 
and is engaged in building a railroad on 
the Union Pacific. Mr. Stanton was an 
active business man. 

Mr. O. Richardson moved to Belling- 
ham, Mass., in '78. Is engaged in the 
mercantile business. He had been organ- 



ROXBURY. 



753 



ist and leader of the choir at the Union 
church for 20 years when he left town. 
He was an adopted son of Samuel Rich- 
ardson, with whom Mr. R. spent his de- 
clining years. 

John Webster, of east part of town, 
went to California in '57, has been success- 
ful in business, and amassed quite a for- 
tune, z. s. s. 

Will R. Mansfield, at the age of 20, 
took his small valise in hand and started 
for the "far west." He stopped a few 
weeks in Nebraska as telegraph operator 
on the B. & M. R. R. He then accepted 
the position of baggage-master and tele- 
graph operator on a new branch of the 
Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe R. R., 
through New Mexico, and served 2 months, 
when he was invited to dine with an old 
Spaniard at Los Vegas, for whom he had 
done some slight service, and started to 
return to Grenada, Col. in the caboose 
that was sent ahead of President Hayes 
and his escort, on their way from Califor- 
nia, to see that the road was clear. The 
party in the " caboose" had been "looking 
upon the wine when it was red," and when 
the "caboose" gave a great bound, and 
any sober person must have known there 
was some obstruction, they declared there 
was "nothing wrong," nor would they 
stop to see whether there was or not. 
So this Vermont boy turned the brake, 
caught a lantern and jumped off, and upon 
examination, several feet of rails were 
gone, and he had nothing to do there in 
the wilds of N. M. but wait for the train, 
and this was not a pleasant task as the 
coyotes began to gather from every direc- 
tion. This was his first experience of the 
kind, and grim terror seized him, quick as 
a flash, he sprang up a telegraph-pole close 
at hand, and sitting astride the cross-bar, 
watched the howling pack, thinking all the 
while what an excellent mark he would be 
for an Indian, and it was far from being an 
agreeable thought. At last the train came 
up and he clambered down from his perch, 
gave a great shout at the wolves and swung 
his lantern to stop the train. The wolves 
scattered, and the train had to stop for re- 
pairs. For this act of faithfulness, he was 



promoted at once to conductor, and has 
occupied that position until the present 
time. s. B. M. 

roxbury's military record. 

BY ZED S. STANTON, ESQ. 

Among the early settlers of Roxbury 
were doubtless several who served during 
the Revolutionary War, but just what 
number it is impossible to determine. 
Samuel Richardson, the first settler in the 
westerly part of this town, was a veteran 
of that war, having served one-half the 
time during the entire contest. He came 
to Roxbury in 1790. Mr. Richardson was 
born at Stafford, Conn., June 15, 1750, 
and died at Roxbury, in 1822. 

Capt. Benjamin Samson, who came here 
in 18 10, was also a Revolutionary soldier, 
and participated in the battles of Lexing- 
ton and Bunker Hill. He rang the church 
bell to arouse the minute men on Lexing- 
ton green, on the memorable 19th of April, 
1775- 

BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG. 

On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 10, 
1 8 14, a company, consisting of all the 
able-bodied men in town, under command 
of Capt. Samuel M. Orcutt, left Roxbury 
for the purpose of assisting in repelling the 
British invasion of our Northern borders. 
All the following Sunday those who were 
left at home heard the distant roar of 
cannon, and supposed that their loved 
ones were engaged in battle with the 
foreign foe. But the men of Roxbury did 
not arrive at Plattsburg until Monday 
evening, Sept. 12, and the fighting was 
then over. They returned to their homes 
Friday, Sept. 16, 1814. 

ROXBURY COMPANY FOR PLATTSBURG. 

Capt. Samuel M. Orcutt; Lieut. Gilbert 
R. Spalding ; Ensign Billa Woodard ; Ser- 
geants Joel Hildreth, Enos Young, Jona- 
than Cram, Charles Samson; Corporals 
James Woolfe, Philip Cram, Dan Lord, 
John Paine ; Drummer Jonathan Nutting ; 
Fifer Bezalleel Spaldmg. 

Privates Benj. Samson, Darius Spal- 
ding, Robert Cram, Samuel Ford, Aiding 
Loomis, Ambrose Hutchinson, John Bald- 
win, Truman Peterson, John M. Spalding, 



95 



754 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Gideon Flint, Peter S. P. Staples, Abra- 
ham Z. Haynes, Jolin Wilcox, Timothy 
Emerson, Joseph Hixon, Samuel Robert- 
son, Darius Spalding, Elisha Wilcox, Eli- 
jah Ellis. 

There is on file in the Adjutant's Gen- 
eral's office at Montpelier an affidavit made 
by the captain and ensign of said company. 
Mar. 6, 1850, stating the main facts in re- 
gard to the company going to Plattsburg, 
and also that parties from other towns 
joined their company, and that none of 
the officers or men of said company ever, 
to the knowledge of the said captain or 
ensign, received ,any compensation for 
their services on that occasion. Of this 
company of men only one is now living 
(Feb. 6, 1882), that one being Philip 
Cram, who resides in Rrookfield. 

ROXBURY SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF '6l. 

Chauncey M. Allen, C, ist Vt. Cavalry; 
mustered out Nov. 18, '64. 

Corp. Frank O. Allen, B, 4th; must, out 
Apr. 12, '65. 

Franklin Anos, H, 6th ; dis. Mar 25, '65. 

James Bailey, H, 6th ; died Oct. 22, '62. 

Henry M. Barrington, I, 9th, died Oct. 
6, '62. 

Byron A. Batchelder, K, 3d ; died at Wash- 
ington, D. C, May 30, '64. 

Harrison Bean, I, i ith ; mustered out June 
24, '65. 

Allen J. Bennett, C, ist Vt. Cav. ; dis. 
Nov. 21, 62. 

John Benjamin, C, ist Vt. Cav. ; sick and 
absent from regt. Nov. 18, '64, is last 
report on Adjutant General's report. 

Joseph Benjamin, H, 6th ; dis. June i, '63. 

Beman H. Campbell, H, 6th; must, out 
May 22, '65. 

Marshall Chaffee, H, 6th; dis. May 15, '63. 

Frank Clukey, K, 7th ; died July 22, '62. 

Anson P. Coburn, I, nth; mustered out 
June 24, '65. 

Patrick Clukey, G, 8th ; mustered out June 
22, '64. 

Andrew J. Cross, ist S. S., F; trans, to 
invalid corps Sept. i, '63. 

Henry A. Cross, K, 7th ; died at Carrol- 
ton, La., Nov. 30, '62. 

Martin Cross, K, 3d ; must, out July 27, '64. 



Joseph Currier, G, 8th ; mustered out June 

28, '65. 
Thomas Daniels, H, 6th; killed at batde 

of Lee's Mills, Apr. 16, '62. 
Capt. David B. Davenport, H, 6th; died 

.Sept. 20, '62. 
Henry D. Davenport, H, 6th; dis. Nov. 

30, '62. 

Peter Deott, K, 4th ; deserted Dec. 10, '62. 
Lieut. Eri L. Ditty, H, 6th; mustered out 

June 26, '65. 
John Q. A. Ditty, F, 2d ; trans, to invalid 

corps July 30, '63. 
Ralph Ditty, F, 2d ; must, out June 29, '64. 
John W. Dunton, K, 7th ; dis. Feb. 25, '63. 
David Ellis, E, 3d ; must, out July 27, '64. 
Lorenzo Ellis, I, nth ; mustered out June 

24, '65. 
Samuel R. Ellis, H, 6th ; dis. July 7, '62. 
John M. Ferris, B, 6th; must, out June 

26, '65. 
Lieut. Amasa W. Ferry, F, 2d ; discharged 

Jan. 4, '65. 
Gideon E. Fletcher, I, 9th; deserted July 

20, '62. 
Royal Flint, H, 6th ; died June 15, '62. 
Victor Goodrich, F, 2d ; killed at battle of 

Bull Run, July 21, '61. 
Dan. A. Grant, H, 6th; dis. Nov. 16, '62. 
Willis Grant, H, 6th ; transferred to invalid 

corps Dec. i, '63. 
James Hall, K, 7th ; died July 24, '62. 
Samuel A. Hayward, E, ist Vt. Cav. ; dis. 

July 24, '62. 
Walter R. Hayward, E, ist Vt. Cav ; must. 

out Aug. 9, '65. 
James C. Hutchinson, H, 2d; killed at 

Charlotte, Va., Aug. 16, '64. 
Corp. Stearns S. Hutchinson, F, 2d; 

must, out June 29, '64. 
Stephen H. Jones, G, 8th ; mustered out 

June 28, '65. 
Leland Kimball, K, 8th ; died at New Or- 
leans, La., Sept. 16, '62. 
Mason Knapp, K, 7th ; re-enlisted, is the 

last entry of Adjutant General's report. 
Carlos Lafaty, K, 7th ; dis. Sept. 27, '64. 
Joseph Lavalle, H, 6th ; mustered out June 

26, '65. 
Henry Lock, H, 6th; mustered out Aug. 

2, '65. 



ROXBURY. 



755 



Alexis Martell, I, nth ; mustered out June 
24, '65. 

Frank E. Martell, H, 6th; mustered out 
July 7, '65. 

Corp. Samuel Maxham,2dS. S., E; killed 
at battle of Wilderness, May 6, '64. 

Henry Morfit, K, 7th ; died at New Or- 
leans, La., Nov. 16, '62. 

Russell Morfit, K, 7th ; died at Fort Pick- 
ens, Fla., May 5, '63. 

Capt. Patrick Murphy, H, 6th; mustered 
out June 26, '65. 

Lieut. Thomas Murphy, H, 6th ; mustered 
out Oct. 28, '64. 

William Murphy, H, 6th ; died Oct. 25, '62. 

Carlos Nedo, K, 7th ; dis. Sept. 27, '64. 

Langdon H. Nichols, C, istVt. Cav; died 
July 27, '62. 

Abial Patch, H. 6th ; dis. Dec. 28, '63. 

Calvin B. Phillips, E, ist Vt. Cav. ; dis- 
charged May 22, '62. 

Edmund Pope, Jr., E, ist Vt. Cav. ; died 
Dec. 14, '64. 

James Putney, H, 6th ; mustered out June 
26, '65. 

William Quimby, K, 7th ; died at New 
Orleans, Oct. 16, ''62. 

Felix Quinn, 1, 9th ; must, out June 13, '65. 

Eli Rich, K, 3d ; died Nov. i, '62. 

John E. Rich, K, 7th ; died July 18, '62. 

Geo. C. Richardson, H, 6th ; died at Fred- 
erick City, Md., Dec. 9, '62. 

Harrison A. E. Richardson, H, 6th ; must, 
out Oct. 28, '64. 

Lafayette Richardson, H, 6th; discharged 
Nov. 24, '62. 

Samuel Richardson, H, 6th ; died at Rox- 
bury, Jan. 15, '63. 

Corp. Ira Royce, E, ist Vt. Cav. ; dis. 
Nov. 22, '62. 

Thomas P. Rundlett, E, ist Vt. Cav ; dis. 
May 22, '62. 

Joseph Shiney, H, 6th ; mustered out June 
26, '65. 

Joseph Simonds, H, 6th ; des. July 24, '65. 

John Slocum, H, 6th ; mustered out June 
26, '65. 

Corp. Emery L. Smith, G, 6th ; dis. Oct. 
31, '64. 

Otis Snow, K, 3d; died Aug. 19, '62. 

Lieut. Allen Spalding, K, 6th ; resigned 
July 13, '64. 



Sergeant Dennison F. Spalding, K, 6th ; 

must, out May 18, '65. 
Israel Steele, K, 7th; dis. Oct. 20, '62. 
Stillman S. Stephens, K, 7th; died July 

17, '62. 
Sergeant Edward F. Stevens, F, ist S. S. ; 

mustered out Sept. 13, '64. 
Benjamin F. Stone, I, 9th; discharged 

June 27, '65. 
Joseph Veo, G, 6th ; mustered out Oct. 

28, '64. 
Lucius W. Wales, H, 6th ; killed at Lee's 

Mills, Apr. 16, '62. 
Samuel Wales, Jr., K, 3d; trans, to in- 
valid corps Sept. i, '63. 
Ezekiel D. Waterman, K, 3d ; killed at 

battle of Lee's Mills, Apr. 16, '62. 
Henry Waterman, C, ist. Vt. Cav. ; died 

at Washington, D. C, Aug. 9, '65. 
Stillman Waterman, H, 6th ; discharged 

March 31, '62. 
Stillman Waterman, I, 9th; discharged 

Jan. 15, '63. 
Joseph White, H, 6th ; died Oct. 22, '62. 
Loren J. Wiley, K, 7th ; must. outMay '65. 
Wallace Wolcott, H, 6th ; dis. Mar. 25, '63. 
Augustus Bresette, 3d Vt. Bat. ; must, out 

June 13, '65. 

Volunteers that re-enlisted. — Paul Burke, 
Carlos Lafaty, Henry Locke, Frank E. 
Martell, Carlos Nedo, Edmond Pope, Jr., 
Dennison Spalding. 

Veteran Reserve Corps. — John W. Dun- 
ton. 

Also two men were credited to Roxbury, 
but not by name. 

Furnished under draft and paid com- 
nmtation. — Edwin W. Ellis, Edwin Ferris, 
A. H. Fisk, Lemuel A. Rood, Luther 
Tracy, Rodney Wiley. 

Procured Substitute. — Nathan W. Cady. 

Entered Service. — Samuel A. Richard- 
son, H, 6th ; dis. Aug. 2, '65. 

Besides the above-named soldiers, there 
were several other residents of Roxbury 
who enlisted, credited to other towns, viz. : 
George R. Waterman, F, ist; must, out 
Aug. 15, '65 ; Franklin Knowles, C. 15th ; 
Charles A. Fisk, F, 17th; Orza Boyce, B, 
4th ; George H. Pearsons, D, 9th ; Samuel 
Shepherd, I, 56th Mass. Vols. ; died June 



756 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



27, '64; Francis F. Young, Mass. Vols. ; 
Sergeant Jones W. Ferris, K, 3d ; severely 
wounded at the battle ot Lee's Mills, Apr. 
16, '62, and discharged Aug. i, '62. 

When the war closed, Roxbury had a 

surplus of 23 men in excess of all calls for 
troops that had been made, a much larger 
number in proportion to the population 
than any other town in the State. 

ROXBURY LONGEVITY. 

Persons 70 years of age and over, who /i?ive 
died in Roxbnry, 

1855 Mary Spaulding 100 

2846 Benjamin Samson. 90 

1819 Moses Woodward 74 

1813 Pavid McClure 80 

1822 Samuel Richardson 71 

1868 Thompson Jenney 85 

1832 Jane Hixon 75 

1872 Samuel Robertson 97 

1879 Persis Robertson 76 

1855 Dorcas Prescott 72 

1835 Darius Spaulding 74 

1844 Joel Hildreth 'j'j 

1864 Polly Hildreth 94 

1872 Arathusa Hildreth 79 

1862 Samuel Edwards 84 

1869 Lydia Edwards 85 

1869 Benga Edwards 87 

1859 Betsey Edwards 75 

1850 Henry Lcck 75 

1856 Obedience Lock 71 

1842 Elijah Ellis 79 

1852 Mary Ellis 88 

1861 Gideon Ellis 89 

1878 Mehitable Ellis 87 

1880 Sally Allen 89 

1841 Mrs. Samuel Richardson 91 

1 869 Silas Spalding 88 

1865 John M. Spaulding 76 

1850 Ruth Sargent 86 

1856 Nathan Haynes 78 

1857 Hannah Haynes 86 

1864 Abraham J. Haynes 76 

1872 Daniel Haynes 88 

1859 Polly Paine 72 

1861 Asa S. Simonds 71 

i860 Hannah Simonds 70 

1876 Charles Samson 86 

1865 Sally Samson 76 

1858 Benjamin Samson 77 

1879 Roxana A. Batty 77 

1873 Anna Gray Stanton 80 

1873 Hannah Merrill 75 

1870 Alvin L. Brigham 71 

1875 Eleanor Spaulding 84 

1862 Samuel Richardson 79 

1865 Lucy Richardson 76 

1875 Barton Tracy 72 

1880 Enos K. Young 72 



861 Silas B. Spaulding 81 

848 Samuel Ford 76 

866 Sarah Batchelder 86 

866 Lydia Beckwith 86 

866 Hannah Staples 77 

825 Capt. Job Orcutt 75 

825 Mary Orcutt 74 

851 Samuel M. Orcutt 74 

878 Mary B. Orcutt 95 

845 Billa Woodward 72 

Mary Woodward 69 

850 Borga Wiley 87 

879 James Wiley 83 

881 Phineas Wiley 91 

879 David Wiley 82 

873 Hannah Wiley 76 

866 John Williams 72 

876 Mabel Williams 75 

880 Otis Batchelder 91 

877 Alva Richardson 76 

868 Dennis Crimims 80 

842 Chester Batchelder 69 

864 Eunice Williams 72 

876 Elias Rich 87 

874 James Butterfield 76 

865 Susannah Richardson 84 

863 Sarah Batchelder 87 

871 Betsey Spalding 82 

865 Jemima Silver 75 

852 Phineas Flint 82 

859 Seth Richardson 70 

836 Sarah Richardson 'jt^ 

873 William Knowles 94 

878 Burton Skilleger 78 

869 Nabby Ford 85 

859 Arny Wilson 81 

859 Samson Bates 70 

860 Anna Hatch 80 

861 Mary Bealey 76 

861 Darius Hatch 81 

861 Hepsobath Cady 81 

862 Lurinda Flint 81 

863 William Hutchinson 89 

864 Aaron Webster 85 

865 Abigail Cram 80 

169 Francis Clukey 70 

869 Jemima Webster 88 

870 William B. Tyler 78 

873 Fanny Jones 78 

874 Phila Dariing 76 

874 Calvin Cady 74 

875 Daniel C. Rich 71 

875 Lamos McGregor 78 

876 Louis Loomis 75 

867 Aaron Spencer 84 

861 Polly Lyndes (colored,) 81 

863 Stephen Rumney 75 

877 Sally Wardner 78 

877 Margaret Martin 90 

878 Eunice Kent 80 

878 Samuel Steele 83 

878 Joel Wardner 83 

838 John B. Crandall 70 

865 Enos Young 80 



ROXBURY. 



757 



1866 Sally Steele 72 

182 1 Elizabeth Abbott ']^ 

i860 Lydia Cotton 71 

1854 Robert Cram 78 

1868 Jacob Loomis 70 

1849 Mercy Ruggles ^i 

1877 Azubah Hatch 70 

1876 William Ruggles 71 

1879 Lewis Chatfield 94 

Annie Blanchard 78 

1876 Lewis Cram 75 

1869 Silas Braley 81 

1870 Oliver French 83 

1866 Mrs. S. Braley 79 

1861 BealeyH. Gibson 76 

1842 Elijah Ellis 79 

1834 Mary Ellis 88 

1865 Isaiah Shaw 82 

1830 Mrs. Wardner 72 

1848 Betsey Boyce 74 

1824 John Gibson 76 

1841 James Steele 76 

1847 Jedediah Smith 85 

1855 Esther Smith 89 

1878 Adah Hackett 86 

1861 Mary Bealey 76 

1854 Gideon Flint 74 

1862 Mrs. Gibeons 80 

Mrs. Crocker 85 

Ranson Beckwith 80 

Samuel Lyndes 80 

1879 Lucy R. Howe 82 

1879 Lovina Ferry 79 

O. W. ORCUTT. 



TOWN MEETINGS. 

Held at Jedediah Huntington's dwelling- 
house in 1796, '97, '98. At Samuel Rich- 
ardson's, 1799, 1802. At Christopher 
Huntington's 1800, 1801. At David 
McClure's, 1803, '5, '6. At Samuel Rob- 
ertson's, 1804. At Leonard Smith's, 1807, 
'8, '9, '10. At BlUa Woodward's, 181 1, 
'12, '13, '14, '15, '16. At Samuel M. Or- 
cutt's 1817, '18, '19, '20, '21, '22, '23, '24, 
'25, '26, '27, '28, '26, '30, '31, '32, ^2)1, '34, 
'35. '36, 'yj, '38, '39' '40. '41- At Luther 
Ainsworth's, Mar., 1842. At John M. Spaul- 
ding's, Sept., '42, '43, '44, '45, '46, '47, 
'48, '49. At Union Meeting House, 1850, 
51. '52, '53, '54. Sept., '54, at new town 
house, 1854 to 188 1. 

MODERATORS. 

Joseph Crane, 1796; Thomas Hunting- 
ton, 1797; Samuel Richardson, 1798, 1801, 
'2, '3, 'S, '7. '8, '9, '13; Jedediah Hunting- 
ton, 1799; Isaac Lewis, 1800; Darius 
Spaulding, Job Orcutt, 1809; ^^b. Butler, 



1804; Rodolphus Willard, 1810; Samuel 
Robin.son, 1811, '12, '17, '18, '19, '20, '21, 
'23, 24 ; J. F. Ruggles, '18, '14, '15, '16, '22, 
'25, '26, '28, '30; Charles Sampson, 1827 ; 
Shubael Wales, 1829, '31, '34, '35, '36; 
Joel Hildreth, 1832; Nathan Morse, 1833; 
Stillman Ruggles, 1837, '38, '40; Allen 
Spaulding, 1839, '41, '42, '51, '52, '53, '54, 
'57, '58; Henry S. Boyce, 1843, '44, '46, 
'47, '48, '55, '56, '59, '60; O. Richardson, 
1861-68; Wm. B. Orcutt, 1868; Billings 
Spaulding, 1869; Samuel G. Stanton, 
1870, "74, '75, '■]■], '78; Oramel Richard- 
son, 1871, '72, '-jT,, '76; Zed S. Stanton, 
1879, '80. '81. 

TOWN CLERKS, 1796-1881. 

Thomas Huntington, 1796, '97, '98, '99, 
1800, 'i. Darius Spalding, 1802, '3, '14, 
'15. Samuel Robertson, 1804, '5, '6, '7. 
James Bancroft, 1808, '9, '10, '11, '12. 
Samuel M. Orcntt, 1813, '17, '18, '19, '20, 
'21, '22, '24, '25, '26, '27, '28. '29, '30, '31, 
'32, '12,^ '34, '35, '36, '2>1^ '38- John F. 
Persons, 1816. Jehial Allen, '39, '40, '41, 
'42. Allen Spalding, 1843, '44> '45 > '46, 
'47, '48. Allen K. Jeney, 1849, ^5°' '5^' 
'52, '53, '55- (Jeney died in Aug., '55.) 
A. N. Tilden, 1854. Orma^ Richardson, 
1855. A. N. Tilden, 1856 to 1881. 

SELECTMEN. 
Samuel Richardson, 1796 to 1803, '7, '8 ; 
Isaac Lewis, 1796, 1800; Jedediah Hunt- 
ington, 1796,98,99; Christopher Hunt- 
ington, 1797; David Cram, 1797; Roswell 
Adams, 1798, 1800, 'i, '3, '4, '5 ; John 
Stafford, 1799, 1806; Darius Spalding, 

1801 l^to 1806, '9, '10; Perez Huntington, 

1802 ; Lemuel Smith, 1803 to '8 ; Jonathan 
F. Ruggles, 1806, '7, '8, '19, '20, '21; 
Samuel Richardson, 1808; Joel Hildreth, 
1809 to '13, '14, '15, '25, '26; Robert Cram, 
1809 to '13, '14, '24, '25; Samuel M. Or- 
cutt, 181 1 to '15, '21, '22, '23, '25, '26, '27, 
'29, '3a, 'i-}) to '38; Isaih Shaw, 1813, '15, 
'18, '26, '27, '28, '36, '37, '47; Uriah Rich- 
ardson, 1813; John Paine, 1815, '16, '17, 
'22 ; Nathan Morse, 1816, '17, '22, '23, '28, 
'29, '30, '11, '34, '35 ; Charles Sampson, 
1816, '17, '20, '21, '27, '28, '29, '38, '47, 
'48; Samuel Robertson, 1818, '19, '23; 
Elijah Ellis, 1818, '19, '20; Billa Wood- 



758 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ward, 1824; David Young, 1824, '31, '32; 
James Burnham, 1830; Amos Wardner, 
1831, '32; Daniel Loomis, 1831 ; Henry 
Smith, 1832; Jonathan Wiley, 1833, '34; 
Bezaleel Spalding, 1835 ; Jared Hildreth, 
1836, 't^Jx Robert Cram, 1838, '39; John 
Cross, 1838, '39, '40, '41 ; Darius Hatch, 
1839; Thomas R. Shaw, 1840 to '44, '46; 
Enos K. Young, 1840, '41, '42; Jehial 
Allen, 1842; Wm. W. Woodward, 1843, 
'44; Benjamin Edwards, Jr., 1843, '44, 
'45. '56, '57, '58: H. S. Boyce, 1844, '49, 
'50; Wm. P. Royce, 1845, '59, '60, '64, 
'65; Samuel Edwards, Jr., 1846, '50, '52, 
'53, '61, '62; Alvin Braley, 1846, '47, '48, 
'61; Stephen Pierce, 1848; Dexter Samp- 
son, 1849, '51, '54, '61, '62, '63; Wm. B. 
Orcutt, 1849, '50 '55; Elijah Winch, 1851, 
'58, '60; S. M. Hildreth, 1851, '58,^63, 
'66, '67, '71 ; Geo. M. Sampson, 1852, '53 ; 
Edmond Pope, 1852, '53, '55, '29, '61, ''62, 
'64, '66; S. G. Stanton' 1869; C. H. Mer- 
rill, 1854; Stillman Ruggles, 1854; Wm. 

B. Orcutt, 1855; Charles B. Fiske, 1855, 
'66, '67, '68; Clark Wiley, 1856, '57, '58, 
'72, ^-77'-, James Cram, 1856, '57; E. N. 
Spalding, i860; C. Richardson, 1864, '65, 
'68; S. P. Orcutt, 1865; Cyrus Howard. 
1868, '69, '81 ; S. G. Stanton, 1869 to '74, 
'78; Enos K. Yonng, 1869, '70; Isaac A. 
Flint, 1870, '71 ; Storrs S. Clough, 1872, 
'75 to '79; Geo. L. Walbridge, 1873, '74; 
Charles Adams, 1873, '74! Billings Spaul- 
ding, 1874, '81 ; A. J. Averill, 1875, '76; 
D. L. Nichols, 1875 ; Charles N. Eaton, 
1876; Gideon Edwards, 1879; D. R. 
Stanton, 1878, '79; C. M. Adams, 1879; 

C. H. Eaton, 1879: Wm. B. Orcutt, Arza 
Boyce, L. J. Wiley, 1880; L. J. Wiley, 
J. B. Spaulding, 1880. 

TOWN TREASURERS. 

David Cram, (796; Isaac Lewis, 1797, 
'98, '99 ; Thomas Huntington, 1800, '01 ; 
Darius Spalding, 1802, '15; Samuel Rob- 
ertson, 1803 to 1808, '28 ; James Bancroft, 
1808 to '13; Samuel M. Orcutt, 1813, '14, 
'17 to '28, '29; John T. Pearsons, 1816; 
Asa S. Simonds, 1830 to '61 ; Billings 
Spanlding, 1861 to '68, '69, to '74; Wm. 
B. Orcutt, 1868; A. N. Tilden, 1874 to 
1881. 



OVERSEERS OF POOR. 

Selectmen in 1808; Jonathan F. Rug- 
gles, Elijah Ellis, Samuel Robertson over- 
seers, 18 13; Robert Cram, Billa Wood- 
ward, Isaiah Shaw, 1820, 37 ; Robert 
Cram, 182 1 ; selectmen overseers of poor, 
1822, 23, 24; Samuel Robertson, 1825, 
26; Samuel M. Orcutt and Nathan Morse, 
1827; Billa Woodward, 1830; Nathan 
Morse, 1828, 29, 35, 36; Allen Spalding, 
1835, 41, 42, 44, 45, 51,58; Darius Hatch, 
1843, 4°, 46, 39, 38 ; Silas Braley, 1833, 
32, 47, 31 ; Allen Spalding, 1848, 49, 50; 
Asaph Silsbury, 1851 ; H. M. Nichols, 1853, 
55, 52; Edmond Pope, 1856; Edmond 
Lack, 1857; Benj. Edwards, Jr., 1860,54; 
Wm. B. Roys, 1861, 62; E. P. Burnham, 
1863, 64, 65, 66 ; Sylvester Ellis, 1867, 68 ; 
Alphonso Ladd, 1869, 70, 71, 72; Orza 
Boyce, 1873, 74, 75 ; C. L. Ellis, 1876, 77 ; 
Charles Adams, 1878, 79, 81 ; Salmon 
Williams, 1880. 

CONSTABLES AND COLLECTORS OF TAXES. 

Jeduthan Huntington, 1796; David 
Cram, 1797, '98, 1817 to 20; Isaac Lewis, 
1799; Perns Huntington, 1800; Benjamin 
Huntington, 1801 ; David McClure, 1802; 
Chester Morris, 1803 to 1808; Roswell 
Walter, 1808; Rhodolphus Willard, 1809; 
Darius Houghton, 18 10; Ezra Child, 
181 1 ; John B. Crandall, 1812; Charles 
Bancroft, 1813; Joel Hildreth, 1814, '15; 
Charles Sampson, 1816; John Paine, 
1820; Henry Boyce, 1821 to 1830; Allen 
Spalding, 2830, '33 ; Erastus Spaulding, 
1831, '32; Amos Wardner, 1834 to 1837; 
Henry S. Boyce, 1838 to 1841 ; Dexter 
Sampson, I841, '42; Elijah Winch, 1843; 
E. B. Pride, 1844, '45 ; Samuel Ruggles, 
1846 to 1850, '55 ; Ebenz. Ainsworth, 
1861 ; S. P. Orcutt, 1852, '53 '59; Daniel 
D. Hackett, 1855 ; Orin W. Orcutt, 1856, 
'76, '78; Benjamin Edwards, 1857, '58; 
W. J. Simonds, i860, '62, '63; Langdon 
R. Nichols, 1861 ; H. G. Ellis, 1864 to 
1870; Charles Spalding, 1870, '71; Sam- 
uel M. Hildreth, 1872; Zed. S. Stanton, 
1873, '74, '75' '77; Azro J. Boyce, 1879, 
'80, '81. 

LISTERS. 

David Cram, 1796, 1806 ; Thomas Hunt- 
ington, 1796, '98; Jedediah Huntington, 



ROXBURY. 



759 



Samuel Richardson, 1797; Isaac Lewis, 
1797, '98; John Stafford, 1798, '99, 1808; 
Chester Batchelder, 1799: Perus Hunting- 
ton, 1799, 1802; Uriah Richardson, 1800, 
1807, '12. ''17; Joseph Adams, Darius 
Spaulding, 1800; David McClure, Benja- 
min Huntington, Daniel Freeman, 1801 ; 
David Nutting, Joseph Converse, 1802; 
Samuel Smith, 1803, '5; Clark Stone, 
Charles Fitts, 1803; Joel Hildreth, 1804, 
'5, '6; Charles Stone, 1804; Zeb. Butler, 
1804; Jonathan F. Ruggles, 1805, '9, '10, 
'16, '17, '22, '24, '27, '30: Samuel Robin- 
son, 1806, '21, '22, '24, '27; Samuel M. 
Orcutt, 1807, '12, '17, '18, '19, '34, '38; 
Robert Cram, 1807, '8; Lorin Green, 
1808; Charles Bancroft, 1809; Ephraim 
Morris, 1809; Salmon Cross, 1810; James 
Bancroft, 1810, '11, '12; Gilbert R. 
Spaulding, 181 1, '15 ; Anson Adams, 1812 ; 
Enos Youngs, Bezalel Spaulding, i8i3,'i5 ; 
Darius Hatch, 1813, '14, '15; John Paine, 
1814, '19, '20, '26, '30; Thomas Davi.s, 
1814; Billa Woodward, 1815, '20, '23, 
'28; Ira Hunter, 1818; Henry Boyce, 
1818, '23; Amos Wardner, 1819; Charles 
Samson, 1822, '23, '30, '32, '33, '36, '37, 
'38, '47, '48, '51 ; Nathan Morse, 1826, 
'27, '28, '32, '36, ''27, '4^, '43; James 
Burnham, 1825, '26, '29 ; Elijah Ellis, 
1827; Silas C. Briggs, 1828; Daniel Flint, 
Shubael Wales, 1829; Erastus Spalding, 
Henry S. Boyce, 1831, '55, '56; Silas 
Hall, 1830; Isaiah Shaw, 1832, '37, '42 
'43 ; David Withington, William Ruggles, 
1833; John Walbridge, 1834; Stillman 
Ruggles, 1834, '36, '40, '54; Alvin Braley, 
1838, '43, '44, '46, '48, '59. '61 ; Benj. 
Edwards, Jr., 1838, '49, '50, '53, '54, '59; 
Samuel M. Hildreth, 1839, '40, '41, '5i,'7i ; 
Eleazar Woodward, Consider Hyland, 
1839; Wm. Woodward, 1840; Philip 
Cram, 1841, '48, '49; Benoni Webster, 
1841, '47; Samuel Edwards, Jr., 1841, '57, 
'60; Allen Spaulding, 1842, '46, 47, '60; 
Luther Ainsworth, 1844 ; Thomas R. Shaw, 
1844, '45, '46, '49; Hibbard A. Perry, 
1850; Wm. W. Woodward, 1850; Ed- 
mond Pope, 185 1, '52, '56, '65; Elijah 
Winch, 1845, '57, '62, '63; Stephen 
Pierce, 1845 ; Asaph Silsbury, 1851 ; Alvin 
L. Brigham, 1852; Stillman Ruggles, 



1853; Wilson I. Simonds, 1854, '66, '81 ; 
Seth M. Bailey, 1855; E, P. Burnham, 
1855, '56. '61, '62; Clark Wiley, 1858; R. 
S. Glidden, Dexter Samson, 1858; Wm. 

B. Orcutt, 1859, '64, '65 ; Joseph B. Ed- 
wards, 1859; Alphonso Ladd, 1862; Phi- 
lander Wiley, 1862, '63, '72, '73; Azro 
A. Simonds, J863 ; Buel Gold, 1865, '67, 
'74, '75; A. A. Smith, 1864, '65; C. B. 
WiHiams, Cyrus Howard, 1866 ; Samuel G. 
Stanton, 1867; Jason W. Powers, 1868; 
Ralph W. Rood, Aaron Webster, 1868; 
Charles Spaulding, 1869, 70; Billings 
Spalding, 1869; Isaac A. Flint, 1869; 
Clark Wiley, 1870, 71 ; Storrs S. Clough, 
1870, 71; Frank T. Snow, 1872; Arza 
Boyce, 1872, '78, '81 ; J. E. D. Hildreth, 
1873, '74; David B. Adams, 1873; David 
H. Stanton, 1873, '75; J. P. Warner, 
1875; Horace A Thayer, 1876; Zed. S. 
Stanton, 1876, '77; Henry M. Spalding, 
1876; Charles Adams, D. L. Nichols, 
1877, '78; Clark Flint, 1879, '80, '81 ; E. 

C. Bowman, J. E. D. Colby, 1879; Geo. 
W. Williams, James Steel, 1880. 

TITHINGMEN, l8o5-'40. 

Silas Spalding,Job Orcutt,Chester Batch- 
elder, Caleb Stowe, Waterman Spalding, 
David G. Nutting, Enos Young. Roswell 
Adams, Elijah Ellis, Jas. Y. Wolf, John 
Baldwin, Wm. Gold, Jacob Wardner, Sam'l. 
Richardson, Willard Smith, JohnM. Spal- 
ding, Asahel Blake, Darius Houghton, Uri- 
ah Richardson, Sam'l. Wright, Benoni Web- 
ster, Jacob Loomis, Silas Braley, Nathan 
Morse, Adin Smith, H. M. Nichols, Eleazer 
Woodward, Benjamin Edwards, Stillman 
Ruggles, Alvin L. Brigham, Daniel FHnt, 
James Pike, Samuel Ford, Alva Richard- 
son, Cyrus Flint, Nathan Emerson. 

TOWN AGENTS. 

John B. Crandall, 1815, 1816; Henry 
Boyce, 1817 ; Charles Samson, 1829; Amos 
Wardner, 1833; Nathan Morse, 1834; 
Silas Braley, 1842, '44; Allen Spalding, 
1 841, '47, '49, '54, '60, '61; Alvin Braley, 
1844, '46, '48, '50, '51, '52, '53, '55, '56, 
'59, '62, '63 ; Edmond Pope, 1864 ; Dexter 
Samson, 1867, '68 ; James P. Warner, 
1872; Samuel G. Stanton, 1875; Wil- 
liam B. Orcutt, 1869, '76; Erastus N. 



760 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Spalding, ^i"], '71, '7o> '5^, '57 ; Samuel G. 
Stanton, '78, '65 ; S. S. Clough, '79. '12>^ 
'74; Orrin W. Orcutt, '80, '81. 

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. 

Joseph Silsbury, 1851, '52, '48; Aaron 
Webster, '50, '52 ; Stephen Pierce, '46, '47, 
'49 ; Allen W. Jenny, '55 ; Hira G. Ellis, '56 ; 
Samuel G. Stanton, '57; F. V. Randall, 
'58, '57 ; Aaron Webster, '58 ; O. Richard- 
son, '59; Austin A. Smith, '60, '61 ; Jas. 
F. Button, '48; Buel Gold, '62; H. G. 
Ellis, '63; Aldin Ladd, '64, '65; S. G. 
Stanton, '66, '67, '70, '71, '72; Wm. L. 
White, '68, '67 ; Andrew Stanton, '73 : 
D. L. Nichols, '74, '75, '76, '78 ; Zed S. 
Stanton, '-j-j, '79, '80, '81. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

Charles Samson, 1850, '51. '52, '53' '54, 
'38, '40, '44, '45, '47, '27, '31. '33, 49 .4.1, 
39, 20, 28, 25, 26, 24, 22. 23, 48, 33, 34, 
30, 55, 46, 21 ; Byer Edwards, 1850, 51, 

52, 53, 54, 58, 61, 62, 40, 43, 44, 45, 47, 
41, 46, 49, 48; Philip Cram, 1850, 51, 48, 
49, 46; Buel Gold, 1850, 51, 64, 65, 66, 
67, 68, 74,75; Elijah Winch, 1850,51, 52, 

53, 57, 58, 62, 44; Stephen Pierce, 1851, 
52, 44, 45, 47, 49, 48, 46; Hiram Wal- 
bridge, 1852, 53, 54, 55, 69, 70, 74, 75 ; 
Asaph Silsbnry, 1852, 53, 49 ; Alvin Braley, 
1853, 54, 44, 45, 47, 49, 46; Stillman 
Ruggles, 1854, 55, 44, 47, 49. 4^, yi , 35. 
46 ; Wm. B. Orcutt, 1855, 56; Calvin 
Murray, 1855, 56; E. P. Burnham, 1855, 
56, 59, 60, 61, 63; A. B. Hutchinson, 
1855,56; Edmond Pope, 1856, 61, 62, 
63; Sewell Hutchinson, 1856, 57; I. M. 
Hildreth, 1842, 43, 44, 45. 47, 57, 49. 48 ; 
W. I. Simonds, 1857, 58 ; Solomon Ferry, 
1857, 58; Sylvester Moffit, 1857, 58; O. 
W. Orcutt, 1859, 60, 61 ; Samuel P. Wales, 
1859, 60; Austin A. Smith, 1859, 60, 61 ; 
Cyrus Howard, 1859, 6°. ^4, 65, 66, 67, 
68; Horace M. Nichols, 1861, 62, 63, 64 
65, 66, 40, 43, 44, 45. 47, 41, 46, 48, 39. 
49; Clark Wiley, i86o, 61 ; James Steele, 
1862,63,64; Samuel G. Stanton, 1862, 
64, 65, 66, 67, 68 ; Dexter Samson, 1862, 
63; Jehial Allen, 1839, 40, 41, 42; E. 
Brackett, 1840, 41, 42; Wm. Ruggles, 
1838, 40, 47, 39, 49, 48 ; Wm. W. Wood- 



ward, 1838, 45, 47, 49, 48, 35; E. B. 
Pride, 1840, 47; Robert Cram, 1838, 43, 
45, 47, 39, 23, 25, 24, 26, 22; John Cross, 
1838, 39, 41, 35, 49; H. S. Boyce, 1838, 
42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 41, 49, 39, 46, 48; Al- 
len Spalding, 1842, 43, 44, 45, 47, 41, 49, 
40, 48,35; Darius Hatch, 1838,39, 40, 
42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 49, 41, 48, 46; Samuel 
M. Orcutt, 1822, 39, 38, 40, 44, 27, 28, 
31, 33, 34, 41, 49, 32, 35, 36. 24, 26, 46, 
20, 22, 30, -ii, 34, 35, 23, 25, 26, 28, 21 ; 
Luther Ainsworth, 1842, 43, 45, 47, 49, 
48, 46; Samuel Ruggles, 1840, 44, 49; 
Jared Hildreth. 1838,42; A. P. Walcott, 
1842, 43; Jared Keith, 1841, 42, 43, 44; 
Thomas R. Shaw, 1848, 42, 49 ; Isaiah 
Shaw, 1834, 41, 42, 43, 20, 30, 28, 24, 25, 
23, 22; Jonathan F. Ruggles, 1827, 31, 
33, 34, 13, 28, 16, 20, 30, 35, 22, 23, 24, 
25, 26, 28, 9, 10, II, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 
19, 21; Daniel Loomis, 1849; Henry 
Smith, 1833, 34; James Cram, 1849; 
Amos Wardner, 1834, 35 ; Daniel Kings- 
bury, 1827; Uriah Richardson, 1817, 20, 
27, 26, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 18, 19, 21 ; 
Nathan Morse, 1831, 33, 28, 30 ; H. G. 
Ellis, 1863, 64; W. S. Roys, 1863, 64; 
Ralph W. Rood, 1866, 67, 68 ; Emery P. 
Cram, 1866; Asahmel FHnt, 1866, 67, 68, 
72, "Ji, 80, 81 ; Oramel Richardson, 1868; 
Salmon Williams, 1868, 72, ^i, 78, 79, 74, 
75; Erastus N. Spalding, 1870; Storrs S. 
Clough, 1870, 74, 75 ; Charles Spalding, 
1870; John F. Roys, 1870; Charles I. 
Holden, 1870; Gideon Edwards, 1870; 
J. F. Pearsons, 1871 ; Jothan Ellis, 1876, 
n^ 74, 75 i Azro A. Simonds, 1871 ; A. J. 
Averill, 1873; Orza Boyce, 1873; C. L. 
Ellis, 1873, 76, "]"] \ James Burnham, 1831, 
32 ; Aaron Webster, 1876, 'J^ ; Luther G. 
Tracy, 1876, -]■] \ Hira G. Ellis, 1876, ^T, 

78, 79; C. H. Eaton, 1878, 79; E. E. 
Bowman, 1878, 79; George B. Hall, 1878, 

79, 80, 81 ; Alphonso Ladd, 1880, 81 ; A. L. 
Nichols, 1880, 81 ; L. F. Wiley, 1880, 81 ; 
Darius Spalding, 1804, 5, 14, 15,16, 13, 9, 
10, 1 1, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19 ; James Pike, 1839; 
Samuel Robertson, 1820, 9, 10, 16; Be- 
noni Webster, 1846, 48, 49; Zeb. Butler, 
1803,4; Roswell Adams, 1803, 4; Rho- 
dolphus Willard, 18 10, 11, 12, 13; John 
Freeman, 1795. 



ROXBURY. 



761 



TOWN REPRESENTATIVES. 

Rhodolphus Willard, 1809, '10, '11, '12; 
Darius Spalding, 1813, '15, '16; Jonathan 

F, Ruggles, 1817 ; Charles Samson, 1818, 
'19, '20, '21, '24, '25, '28, 'y], '38, '39, '41 ; 
Robert Cram, 1822, '23; Isaiah Shaw, 
1826, '27, '31, '32, '33, '40 ; Nathan Morse, 
1829, '34, '35, '36; Allen Spalding, 1842, 
'43, '52, '53; Thomas R. Shaw, 1846; 
Benjamin Edwards, Jr., 1847; Dexter 
Samson, 1849, '50; Henry S. Boyce, 
1851 ; Elijah Winch, 1854; Alvin Braley, 
1855, '56; Edward Pope, 1857; F. V. 
Randall, 1858; Wm. B. Orcutt, 1859,^60; 
SethM. Bailey, 1861 ; Chester Clark, 1862 ; 
Seth M. Bailey, 1863; Edmond Pope, 
1864, '65; Austin A. Smith, 1866; Samuel 

G. Stanton, 1267, '68, '69; Erastus N. 
Spalding, 1870, '71 ; '^^l--, no elections; 
Enos K. Young, 1874, '75 ; A. N. Tilden, 
1876, '^^\ Wm. B. Orcutt, 1878-81. 

ASSISTANT JUDGES OF COUNTY COURT. 

Charles Samson, 1842, '43; Nathan 
Morse, Alvin Braley, 1858, '59. 

Wm. B. Orcutt, 1874, 7s ; 

Sheriff,— O. W. Orcutt, 1865, '66. 

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONL CONVEN- 
TIONS. 

Darius Spaulding, 1814; Jonathan P. 
Ruggles, 1822; Nathan Morse, 1828, '35; 
Henry S. Boyce, 1842; Thomas R. Shaw, 
1849; Samuel U. Hildreth, 1870. 

POSTMASTERS. 

First postmaster, John M. Spaulding, 
from 1826 to '49; O. W. Orcutt, 1849 to 
'53 ; Billings Spaulding and A. N. Tilden, 
1 86 1 to '63; Julius Spaulding, 1865 to '66; 
Orin W. Orcutt, 1866 to the present time. 

East Roxbury. — Shubael Wales, 1830 
to '42; Stillman Ruggles, 1841 to '43; 
Samuel Ruggles, 1843 to '52 ; Jacob Ward- 
ner, in 1852, and present incumbent. 

Merchants : — Among others beside what 
I have previously named, I remember 
Woodward, Thresher, A. N. Tilden, Ed. 
Ferris, J. Riford, Mansfield, I. Brigham, 
E. P. Burnham, A. N. Tilden & Son, the 
two last firms at present doing good busi- 
ness. Asa Taylor was the first to keep 
store in town. 

E. N. Spaulding's steam-mill burned 
down in November, since I wrote up the 

96 



manufacturing business, and another one 
was well under way here when I came from 
Roxbury. Stephen Butterfield has been 
station agent and telegraph operator nearly 
the whole time since the railroad came to 
Roxbury. E. N. Spalding is a promi- 
nent business man, dealing heavily in 
lumber. Will Spalding, his son, is now 
" dispatcher " in an office in Boston. 

Thanks are especially due O. W. Orcutt, 
Aaron Webster and Zed Stanton, Esq. 
I have received considerable information 
from three grand-daughters of Samuel Rich- 
ardson — Mrs. York, Mrs. Woodard and 
Mrs. Youngs ; also from O. Richardson, a 
former resident of this town. Many have 
no doubt felt interested who have devoted 
no time, therefore much will be left out, 
inevitably, which cannot fail of being a 
source of regret to their posterity ; for, 
however this may seem to us of to-day, to 
whom much of this history is familiar, 
future generations will peruse it with the 
greatest interest, and every incident of the 
hardships, privations and heroism of the 
pioneers, related at many firesides by our 
children's children. s. B. M. 

roxbury centennial CELEBRATION. 

The day chosen for the Celebration fell 
on Tuesday, fair and fine as one could wish. 
The ' procession of citizens and visitors 
formed at the town-house, and led by 
Northfield Cornet Band, drum corps, mil- 
itia, old folks' temperance organization, 
grange and civilians, marched to a charm- 
ing little grove near the depot, where a 
stand had been erected for music and 
speakers, tables laid for an old-fashioned 
dinner in a little vale just below, tended 
by young ladies, picturesque in short 
waists, enormous pufted sleeves and narrow 
gored skirts, guiltless of trimmings. Among 
the visitors who were assigned seats of 
honor upon the stand were Philip Cram, 
the first child born in Roxbury, from 
Brookfield ; Mrs. Orcutt, widow of Sam- 
uel Orcutt, and mother of those residing 
in Roxbury and Northfield of that name, 
the oldest person present, being 94 years 
of age. There were 39 persons over 70, 
30 of them being over 80. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS, 

(BY Z. S. .STANTON, EfeQ.) 

Delivered at Roxbury, Aug. 22, 1876, 
Maj. Allen Spaulcling, president of the oc- 
casion ; a large concourse of citizens 
and visitors present ; from which we ex- 
tract the portions pertaining strictly to the 
history of the town not already covered by 
the papers of Mrs. Mansfield, given : 

" Many of the early settlers of this town- 
ship were veterans of the Revolution. 
Doubtless the tract of land now known as 
the town of Roxbury was never the per- 
manent home of the Indians. Yet it may 
be inferred from the geographical position 
of this portion of our State, that the 
Indians, in their predatory excursions 
against the colonial settlements of New 
England, pa.ssed through here. The Iro- 
quois, Cossuck and St. Francis tribes fre- 
quented this portion of our State at various 
times while on their hunting excursions, 
and doubtless the smoke of their camp- 
fires wended up from this little valley many 
times. In the fall of 1780, the town of 
Royalton was pillaged and burned by a 
band of Indians from Canada, who on 
their return passed through the west part 
of Brookfield, and probably the east part 
of this town. Arrow-heads and other relics 
have been found here at various times, 
which prove conclusively that the red man 
was here at a time previous to any white 
man's emigration to this township. Nov. 
6, 1780, this township was granted, and it 
was chartered by the Governor, Council 
and General Assembly of the State, Aug. 
5, 1781, to Benjamin Emmons and 64 
others, nearly all of whom were residents 
of Windsor County. I think two of these 
persons afterwards resided in this town. 
Among the names of those to whom this 
township was chartered, I find those of 
Thomas Chittenden, Paul Spooner, and 
others prominent in the early history of 
Vermont. Besides the land chartered to 
those men, there was chartered one right 
for the use of a seminary or college, one 
for the u.se of a county grammar school, 
one for the purpose of the settlement of a 
minister of the gospel, one for the support 
of the social worship of God, and one for 
the support of an English school or schools 
in this town. The proprietors of this 
township held their first meeting at the 
house of Benjamin Burtch, an innholderin 
Hartford, County of Windsor, Nov. 20, 
1783; Hon. Paul Spooner, moderator, 
and Briant Brown, clerk. A committee, 
consisting of Briant Brown, Esq., Capt. 
John Strong, Elisha Gallup, Abel Lyman 
and Asa Taylor were chosen to examine 



this township, and to lay out 100 acres to 
each proprietor as a first division, with the 
allowance of five per cent, for highways. 
They were also instructed to procure a 
surveyor, chainmen and provisions. They 
held an adjourned meeting Dec. 25 the 
same year, and voted to lay a tax of 10 s. 
lawful money, on each proprietor's right or 
share of land, for the purpose of paying 
the expenses of surveying. This tax was 
to be paid in money, wheat, beef or pork, 
at cash price. They chose Capt. John 
Strong collector, and Major Joel Mathews, 
treasurer. They also voted a tax of 2 s. 
lawful money, on each proprietor's right or 
share of land in this township, for the pur- 
pose of defraying charges that had arisen 
in procuring the charter. It is impossible 
to ascertain just how many meetings were 
held by the proprietors of this township, 
or when the survey was made. I think, 
however, that the survey was not made at 
this time, and possibly not until several 
years later. There was a proprietors' 
meeting held at the house of Asa Edgerton, 
in Randolph, Aug. 6, 1788; Major Elijah 
Paine, moderator, and Deacon David 
Bates, clerk. A vote similar to the one 
taken at Hartford, with the addition of an- 
other division, was passed. It is possible 
that the survey of the township was made 
previous to this time, but I have no author- 
ity for saying so. Each proprietor had 
one lot in each division. On the 21st day 
of May, 1789, the first settlement was 
made in this township. 

Mr. Huntington, the first settler, was an 
elderly man, and was accompanied by 
several children, some of whom had ar- 
rived at maturity at that time. Three of 
his sons, Jedechah, Thomas and Jonathan 
were quite prominent in town affairs when 
the town was organized. I am not able to 
say who the next settlers of this township 
were, but soon after Huntington and Rich- 
ardson came here, Mr. Isaac Lewis settled 
in this town-hip, and Messrs. David, 
Robert and Jonathan Cram located on the 
farms now owned and occupied by Messrs. 
Chatterton, Bowman and Clough. [See 
previous account of.] 

Jacob Wardner came to this town in 
1801, and built a log house on the farm 
now owned by H. A. Thayer. The next 
year he moved his family to this place. 
He was a German, and was born on board 
a vessel while his parents were emigrating 
to this country, and he used to boast that 
he ' never was born on the face of God's 
earth.' 

Samuel Robinson and Samuel M. Orcutt 
were at one time associated in mercantile 
business, and occupied the room now used 



ROXBURY. 



763 



by J. F. Pearson as a harness shop. This 
was the second store kept in town. They 
did a good business, and to use my in- 
formant's own words, ' There was not so 
many Bostons then as now ; then the 
Granger did not trouble the merchant, 
and the potato bug did not bother the 
Granger ; then the merchants drew their 
molasses without the help of patent gates, 
and sold new rum without a license.' 

Elijah Ellis lived where Mrs. Brackett 
now does. He built the house at this 
place, and it was the first house built in 
town that -was arranged for the use of 
stoves, I am informed. He had no fire- 
place or ' stack of chimneys,' as they were 
called, and people thought it a great de- 
parture from the old ways. Ellis also built 
the tirst clover-mill in town. [See Mrs. 
Mansfield's record.] 

About this time Moses Woodard lived 
where Peter Gilbert now does, whose son 
was the noted manufacturer of the frames 
of saddles. There was a tavern kept here 
for some time, and the place was known 
as the center of the town. Below Wood- 
ward's, on the road leading to where the 
village now is, lived James Bancroft, who 
was for many years town clerk, and has 
left upon the town records some splendid 
specimens of penmanship, that might well 
.serve for copies for many at this day. 
There were in 1810 but three houseswhere 
the village now is — the house of Mr. Bur- 
roughs, near where Mrs. Martell lives, and 
two others, near where Charles Leonard 
now resides. At this time, 18 10, there 
was a considerable portion of the town 
settled. 

After the return of our volunteers from 
Plattsburgh, with the exxeption of town 
meetings and trainings, the town was com- 
paratively quiet. These trainings were 
held at various places, sometimes at Billa 
Woodard's and Capt. Orcutt's, on the east 
hill, and often near the tavern of John M. 
Spaulding. Mr. Spaulding kept this tav- 
ern, and was also proprietor of a saw-mill 
and grist-mill at this place. Then one day 
in each week was set apart for the grind- 
ing of salt. Coarse salt was the only kind 
of that commodity that could be obtained, 
and as the thrifty housewives then, as now, 
took great pride in making good butter, 
they had of necessity to grind their salt at 
the grist-mill. Mr. Spaulding built the 
hotel in the village in 1830. He was an 
energetic business man, and accumulated 
a handsome property for those honest days. 
For many years the town meetings were 
held at dwellings in various parts of the 
town. I find by consulting the town rec- 
ords that these, meetings were held at the 
houses of the following-named gentlemen, 



in the order that they occur : Jedediah 
Huntington, Samuel Richardson, Chris- 
topher Huntington, Lemuel Smith, Ichabod 
Munsel, Billa Woodard, Samuel M. Orcutt 
and Luther Ainsworth. After this they 
were held at the village, in the meeting- 
house and hotel hall, until the town-house 
was built, in 1854. 

The verd antique marble was discovered 
in Roxbury, 1833, by a gentlemen named 
McCain. 

No State in the Union has a better rec- 
ord in connection with the war of the re- 
bellion than Vermont — and no town in the 
State has a better one than Roxbury. With 
a population of 1060, Roxbury gave the 
Union army 95 brave soldiers, 8 of whom 
re-enlisted. Co. H, 6th Vt. Regt,, under 
command of Capt. D. B. Davenport, was 
recruited in this town in the fall of 1861. 
Besides this company there were residents 
of this town in many other regiments. 
Twenty-six of these died in the service of 
their country. ..... 

Besides these, there were 
of those who enlisted from other places, 
but who were residents of this town, two 
that died — Homer Pearson in a rebel pris- 
on, at Salisbury, N. C, and Samuel Shep- 
herd, who was a member of a Massachu- 
setts regiment, in the service. In all, 29 
men of this town fell in the defense of hu- 
man liberty. I wish that this town might 
imitate the action of other towns, and 
erect a monument to the memory of these 
martyrs. 

So far as manufacturing is concerned, 
Roxbury has done but little, and doubtless 
the wealth that is obtained here must come 
through the hard hand of the farmer. Mr. 
Shubal Wales, who kept tavern at East 
Roxbury many years ago, was also propri- 
etor of clothing works at that place, but it 
was not a very extensive concern. 

The people here have to a considerable 
extent, been dependent upon itinerant 
preachers. After Mr. Huntington remov- 
ed to Canada, the settlers at East Roxbury 
secured the services of Elder Seaver, of 
Williamstown, and meetings were held in 
the school house. Elder Hovey also held 
meetings there, and soon after a Calvinist 
Baptist church was formed. There has 
been, I think, a church organization there 
ever since. Their present church, the First 
Christian, was organized in Feb., 1863. 
Rev. Henry Howard is now their pastor. 
The union house of worship was built in 
this village in 1839. Previous to this, the 
meetings were held in school houses, and 
sometimes in barns. Considerable excite- 
ment was occasioned at the time the first 
minister in town was ordained. In those 
days, there were many lay preachers, and 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



one of these, a man named Culver, was 
privately ordained and laid claim to this 
lot, together with all the improvements 
that had been made upon it. The select- 
men of the town objected to this, but Cul- 
ver would not yield, and then they endeav- 
vored to have a preacher named Smith, 
better known as " Happy John," ordained. 
He declined, and Ophir Shipman was next 
appealed to. He consented, and was the 
first regularly ordained minister in Rox- 
bury. He held the value of the land with- 
out improvements. The result of this 
strife was the destroying of the Baptist 
church at this place. 

My fellow townsmen, in conclusion, let 
me say that I would that this task of 
chronicling a history of our town might 
have been performed by abler hands than 
mine. With the short time alloted me I 
could, of course, give nothing but a rough 
sketch of those incidents brought most 
vividly to my notice. I trust they are in 
the main correct. My thanks are due 
those who have so kindly furnished me 
with material, and I hope the day is not 
far distant when a fuller and more com- 
plete history may be written. If you de- 
rive half the pleasure in listening to this 
that I have in learning of those pioneers in 
our town, I shall be satisfied. I think we 
are too apt in this fast age not to look 
back to the lives and deeds of those 
who have gone before. Said Edmund 
Burke, "A people who do not look back 
to their ancestors will not look forward to 
their posterity," and still there are many 
to-day if called upon to give the maiden 
name of their grandmother would be una- 
ble to do so. To know more of those 
whose places we now fill, to learn of their 
virtues, to know wherein they erred, is our 
right and duty. In our little mountain 
town, away up among the Green Moun- 
tains, we have no great history to write of, 
no mighty deeds of valiant men to chroni- 
cle, no biography of some brilliant person 
who has gone from here and startled the 
world with his genius, for no native of 
Roxbury has been, to my knowledge, a 
member of Congress or of the State Prison 
either, but .simply a story of hardy men and 
brave women seeking and making their 
homes among these hills. There are 
times when, perhaps, we may wish for a 
more genial clime and a more fertile soil, 
but none of us after living here a series of 
years will fail to love these hills, for it is our 
home. When we consider the changes that 
have been wrought in our State and nation 
during the past century, we know that our 
little town has kept pace with the rest. 
How different the scene of to-day and the 
one Samuel Richardson gazed on when 



first he came here. At our feet still murmurs 
that little mountain stream that sparkled 
in the autumn sunlight of 86 years ago, 
but how changed is the rest. Then it 
was an unbroken forest, with naught but 
wild beasts for inmates ; now it is teeming 
with the marks of improvement. The iron 
horse is going at lightning speed through 
our valley ; step to yonder telegraph office 
and in a moment's time a thought of yours 
may be flashed to the Golden Gates of the 
Pacific, or, sent beneath the ocean's bed, 
may be heard on another continent ; on our 
hillsides are evidences of great improve- 
ments, machinery supplants labor, and the 
products of other climes may be ours at 
prices almost nominal. Forth from these 
hillsides come a thousand sparkling streams 
with water pure and clear as our lives 
should be ; across these hills the strong, 
invigorating air is ever waving, giving 
health and happiness, and here in our 
peaceful homes ought to be found hearts 
grateful to the Giver of all these blessings. 
But the tottering forms of these aged ones 
who have assembled here to-day, tell us 
plainly that it is but a brief happiness we 
have to enjoy here, and that with each re- 
turn of this golden harvest time, new 
mounds will have been made in our valleys 
and on our hillsides, marking the spot 
where some one is resting from his labors, 
and may God grant that when the last 
summons shall come, and the places we 
now occupy shall know us no more, that 
our lives shall have been such as to bear 
well the scrutiny of the Great Hereafter. 

A CENTURY OLD STORY. 

BY MRS. SAUAH BHIGIIAM MANSFIELD. 

(Read at the Ro.rbury Centennial.) 
Ahl what more inspiring tlienie 
For poet's pen or poet's dream 
Tlian to go back an liundreii years— 
To dream of all the hopes and fears. 

The heart-throbs and the pain 
Of those who lived, and loved, and died — 
Who felled the forests, dark and wide — 
Who. with unswerving, constant toil. 
Cleared these broad acres, tilled the soil, 

Themselves a liome to gain. 

A hundred years, or less, ago 
Deep waters had their ebb and flow; 
The willow bowed its graceful head 
Above the water-lily's bed. 

Where stands this village now. 
The bear and wolf roamed without fear, , 

With now and then a moose or deer. 
And the primeval forests rang 
With shrieks of panther— the birds sang 

Tlieir loftiest, sweetest strains, I trow. 

The red man oft-times wandered through 
These dim old woods; ahl brave and true 
Were they who mid th' green hills of "Vermont 
Sought and found homes; my word upou't, 
A nobler, truer race 



ROXBURY. 



765 



Than those old yeoiuen ne'er were seen ; 
Though brown of cheek, nor graceful mien 
Had they, their record shows 
A list of deeds that brighter glows 
As years come on apace. 

In a sweet glade, beside a wood, 

A century gone, a cabin stood; 

A purling brook trilled joyously along. 

And bird-notes echoed back the song. 

While little children fair 
Joined in the chorus at their play : 
What wonder that their hearts were gay— 
From the di-ead war papa had come, 
To spend his days in peace at home; 

How light seemed every carel 

'Twas springtime; adder-tongues were up; 
'Neath the dry leaves the arbutus' cup; 
Rude troughs still caught the flowing sweet 
From the rock maple ; tiny feet 

Made fairy footprints all around. 
One little lad, with crisp brown curls. 
And full white brow, fair as a girl's, 
Wiih dusk-bright eyes, brim full of glee, 
Pet of that humble home was he — 

Humble, yet with love crowned. 

" O, let me mind the fire," lie cried, " to day. 
And watch the sap, to see it boil away ; 
You go to dinner, one and all — 
Please let me stay; I'm not so very small, 

I'll have you all to know; 
I'm a big boy, 'most eight years old. 
And not a bit afraid; now do not scold. 
For won't I make the kettle singl— 
And don't forget my lunch to bring— 

I'm starved almosti— now go." 

And so they left him, bright-eyed Ned ; 
" He'll keep all right, we know," they said, 
" And feel as proud as any king— 
The little, pompous, silly thing. 

To think such work is play." 
And while they dined, the mother brought 
A dainty lunch of trout they'd caught, 
And good sweet bread, both brown and white: 
'• Now haste thee, husband, from my sight. 

Nor linger by the way ; 
"My heart is sad— oh I strangely sad— 
For fear of liarm to the dear lad ; 
I know he's brave— as brave as good— 
But wild beasts lurk in the deep wood— 

Ohl haste thee to our child." 
"Fie! fie I upon thy woman's fears; 
The boy is safe— dry up thy tears; 
And when he comes with me to-night, 
Thou'lt smile upon this foolish fright— 

Hd loves the deep woods wild." 
Yet, as his hurried steps drew near, 
Why blanched his cheek with sudden fear? 
Ah! what was there his keen eye scanned? 
Prints of moccasined feet on every hand, 

With the bare ones of little Ned; 
An arrow and a wooden spoon — 
But where the boy they left at noon ? 
The frantic father called in vain; 
Sad echo answered back the strain- 
Forever lost! it said. 
On through the forest, dark and wild. 
The frenzied father sought his child ; 
Through mountain gorge, o'er hill and dale, 
Till steps grew slow, cheeks wan and pale. 

He sought, but never found. 



Spring, summer, waned, and autumn came. 
Rich with ripe fruits and golden grain; 
But from that pleasanfcabin home 
The light and joy for aye had flown— 
No little narrow mound, 

Rose-strewn, where they could go and weep. 
And know their darling was asleep 
Beneath the flowers; no such relief 
Had those poor hearts; in silent grief 

They passed each weary day. 
White grew the mother's raven hair, 
Deep care lines on the brow once fair. 
Watching and waiting all in vain ; 
The dear one came not back again — 

He was lost to them for aye. 
The stolen child was a grand-uncle of the writer. 

OUR ROXBURY VISIT. 

When in print so far as with Middlesex, 
we had no certain historian for Roxbury 
engaged, but learning by chance corres- 
pondence that Mrs. Sarah Brigham Mans- 
field was residing at Roxbury, made her a 
visit with much confidence, we had found 
the best person in the town to write out 
the historic record of Roxbury. While 
visiting Mrs. Mansfield, we also made a 
little trip into the Mad River Valley, that 
we had never dreamed of as so pretty ; 
heard Rev. P. B. Fisk in his address at the 
Fair at Waitsfield, and visited the birth- 
town of the Brigham family and Mrs. 
Laura Brigham Boyce. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mansfield pointed out many an old site 
named in our Fayston history, fresh from 
the press ; nuw Mr. M., the old home site 
of his father, which strangely the writer 
had somehow overlooked. 

Riley Mansfield, born in Winchen- 
don, Mass., came from there when 19 
years old, with an ox-team, by marked 
trees, through the heart of the Vermont 
wilderness, and located in the valley of 
Fayston, clearing himself a farm and 
rolling up the logs for his first log-house. 
He lived in this town till his death,- and 
raised a large family, and was one of the 
principal landholders of his day, as the 
Fayston records attest. His farms and 
mortgages on farms covered much of the 
territory of the town ; but he was no op- 
pressor. A neighbor under embarrass- 
ment came to him one day, and said, "I 
want you to buy that 50-acre lot of mine. 
If I can turn it into money, I can save my 
farm and myself from ruin." "I will take 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



it," said Mr. M., and paid him his price for 
the land. The man afterwards said to 
him, "You saved me and my family from 
utter failure." A little later, hard times 
again came, and the neighbor was again in 
deep gloom. How he could meet his 
taxes he did not know. He had some 
fine sheep, but sheep were down in the 
market ; no one wanted to buy for half 
their worth. The melancholy man came 
down one afternoon to see if Mr. M. would 
not buy his sheep. Mr. M. was absent. 
He told his story to Mrs. M., and said he 
knew of no one else who would give him 
the worth of his sheep, but he thought 
that Mr. M. might, and let him have the 
money. Mrs. M., sorry for the man, and 
knowing the neighborly spirit of her hus- 
band, told him that she thought Mr. M. 
might buy the sheep, and she would tell 
him when he came home, and she thought 
he would be up there that night. The 
man left a little encouraged. Mr. M. did 
not return till late. Mrs. M. told him, but 
it was lo o'clock before he had his chores 
done, and he put off going up till the next 
morning. He went up then, but the man 
had hung himself in the night. His wife 
said to Mr. M., " Had you come up last 
night, it would have saved his life." Mr. 
M., although no ways obligated, always 
regretted that he had not gone up that 
night, late as it was. 

He brought apple-seeds from New Hamp- 
shire, and planted orchards around his old 
homestead 63 years ago ; trees yet remain 
there that sprang from the seed he planted 
then. Mr. M. removed from where he 
first settled to a farm on Mill brook, where 
he made his home the last 25 years of his 
life. His first home was adjoining the 
old Brigham farm on Fayston hill. His 
house was within 20 rods of where George 
Boyce now lives. He sold to Mr. Brig- 
ham and Mr. Griggs a part of their farms 
(old Stephen R. Griggs was the one who 
committed suicide). 

From Obituujy. — "Riley Mansfield, of 

Fayston, died Jan. 14, , aged nearly 

jj years ; another of our oldest and most 
respected citizens is gone, almost the last 
of the pioneer men who came to our town 



in its early settlement, or before it had be- 
come largely settled or improved. He 
came 56 years ago, and helped by his life- 
long industry to make the wilderness to 
blossom as a garden. At 23, he was con- 
verted at a camp-meeting, and united with 
the Methodist church, of which he was a 
member at time of his death. In 1822 he 
married Betsey Chase, who died Mar. 11, 
'73. Of a large family, but one son, Martin 
Mansfield, is now living. He was respect- 
ed for his sterling worth ; there lives no 
man who will say, ' Uncle Riley,' as he 
was called by all his neighbors, ever know- 
ingly cheated him one cent. Of his sudden 
death he seemed to have a premonition. 
He began to feel unwell Wednesday after- 
noon, and died on Friday near midnight. 
About an hour before he died, he dressed 
himself and laid down again on his bed, 
apparently comfortable, and died as an in- 
fant hushed to sleep in its mother's arms." 

After his death it was found he had 
written in his diary the Sabbath evening 
before, the following: 

"Jan. g. Sabbath Evening. 
Now we know not what is before us ; we 
frequently hear of people being found dead, 
and as you all, my dear children, are away 
from me, the thought came to me that I 
might never see any of you again. Oh, 
what a feeling came over me ! I felt that 
I could not go to bed without writing a 
few words of entreaty that you would not 
let the busy scenes and cares of this life 
hinder you from preparing for the life to 
come. Oh, do think of the life that never, 
never ends! Think what folly it is to 
make overmuch provision for the flesh only 
to be enjoyed a few days! It is the height 
of folly for people to live as most do, and 
for professors of religion to live as all the 
world do, laying up treasures on earth. 
What I wrote on the other page (of this 
diary), was after I was ready to go to bed, 
but after these thoughts came to me, I 
made another fire and sat down and wrote 
this, hoping you might find it, and hoping 
it might have some influence on your lives. 
It may be your loving father's last request." 

It was his last request to his children, 
for he never beheld their faces again, his 
death on the next Friday night being so 
unexpected, they were not sent for until 
all was over. 



ROXBURY. 



767 



BETSEY CHASE, 

who lived on Waitsfield Mountain, mother 
of Mrs. Riley Mansfield, of Fayston (see 
previous, page — ), used to tell many tales 
of almost incredible hardships and priva- 
tions. Her husband, Thomas Chase, 
served in the Revolutionary War, and she 
cared for her little family as best she could, 
as they were very poor, in the • springtime 
subsisting upon milk and leeks (wild 
onions), and such small game as she could 
get, being an adept in the use of a rifle or 
shot-gun. At one time, when the army 
was in desperate need of recruits, and they 
were pressed into the service with but very 
little ceremony. When it was known offi- 
cers were in town for that purpose, many 
poor fellows, who much preferred to re- 
main by their own firesides to enduring 
the perils of war, would hide until the en- 
listing officers had left town. They, learn- 
ing this, devised a plan to catch them by 
letting loose their cattle in the night, and 
concealing themselves to watch for the 
men to come out and care for them. Sev- 
eral times one night Mrs. Chase heard the 
tinkling of her old cow-bell in her corn- 
field, and each time marched resolutely out 
and drove old "Crvmipie" into the yard, 
making all fast, and returned to the house, 
to have the same repeated, until the re- 
cruiting officer and men with him wearied 
out (at last,) made themselves and 
their errand known, and when told her 
husband was already in the service, were 
somewhat chop-fallen, but declared she 
was a brave woman, fit to be a soldier's 
wife. She was a strong, robust woman, 
and never seemed to know the meaning of 
the word fear. She often said she would 
as soon meet the devil in the dark as a 
man. Whether this was a bit of sarcasm 
on the " sterner sex" she never explained. 
Some of her superstitious neighbors called 
her a "witch," for her prophecies often 
came true, and they feared nothing so 
much as her displeasure, "lest some evil 
should come upon them." This rather 
pleased her than otherwise, as in this way 
she kept some disorderly neighbors very 
submissive. She died in Waitsfield, April, 
1852, aged over 90 years. 



The account of Riley Mansfield and 
Thomas and Betsey Chase belong to the 
towns of Fayston and Waitsfield, but hav- 
ing been overlooked at home, we include 
them with this near neighboring town, 
and the more easily, as Mrs. Mansfield has 
most cordially and permanently connected 
herself here as the historian of the town, 
though the family have now all removed 
from Roxbury and reside at Fairhaven. 

MR. buknham's reminiscences. 

Deer. — Mr. E. P. Burnham, merchant 
at the village, told us he can remember 
some 50 years ago, when the deer used to 
herd together in spruce thickets on these 
mountains in the winter, and when the 
snow melted in the March days, and froze 
at night, making a crust, the hunters 
would be out the next morning for the 
deer. He says he has been on these 
mountains many times when the deer were 
so thick you could not count their tracks — 
the tracks were like a thousand sheep in 
the snow. The hunters frequently shot 
and brought in several deer at a time. He 
distinctly remembers when they brought 
in five at one time. 

He was graphic in his remembrances of 
Crandall, of whom Mrs. Mansfield has 
some anecdotes on the foregoing pages. 

"Some 50 years ago," says Mr. B., 
" there lived in this town a man by the name 
of John B. Crandall, but who was named 
and called by all his townsmen Judge 
Crandall, a drinking, miserable being, but 
a man with natural talent. He would get 
into debt and get sued, and defend himself 
in the courts. He managed his own case 
and plead his own cause before the jury, 
and usually with success. Judge Weston 
brought a suit for debt against him one 
time, however, in Randolph, when Cran- 
dall thought he would have some help, 
and engaged one of Judge Weston's stu- 
dents to help defend him. When the 
cause came on, the student arose to argue 
Crandall's case, but, awed by the presence 
of his master, began to hesitate. Crandall 
stood it for a moment. He had an invet- 
erate habit of spitting when excited. For 
a moment he sat spitting, when, arising, 



768 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



drawing his ragged, sliglitly liquorfied form 
up to its full height, he spit once, twice, 
thrice. Said he, 'Sit down! sit down! 

You are afraid of the d d cuss ; let me 

try him!' He did try him, and won his 
case out and out with the jury, to the great 
amusement of all who heard the defense. 
He had a family. His own boys took after 
him in drinking, but had none of his power 
of wit and argument. I think they were 
more like their mother, who was a famous 
talker, but not well balanced. Some 
neighbors in of an evening, the old lady 
would sit and tell over her wise things ; 
the old man, under the influence of liquor, 
in his chair sit and doze, and when she 
had chatted away and told her long yarns 
till late, arouse himself up and say, ' A 
dumb fool always knows the most."' 

The poor old man, of marked ability, 
but a wreck from his bad habit, died at 
last, and his curious old wife and his un- 
educated sons following in his steps, that 
never were any benefit to the community ; 
but in the third generation, under the in- 
fluence of a better education, the ability 
of the grandfather again cropped markedly 
out. His grandsons have the strong nat- 
ural ability without the dissipation of their 
grandfather or fathers, and make fine men. 

THE 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY 

of Mrs. Betsey C. Spalding, of which 
Mrs. Mansfield has briefly spoken, was, 
indeed, a very unique and pleasant gather- 
ing, and as the oldest birthday party ever 
celebrated in Roxbury, should perhaps 
have a little more notice. Her five chil- 
dren, all living, were present : ErastusN., 
Billings, Mrs. Brackett, Mrs. P. Wiley, 
Mrs. A. N. Thompson, her daughter-in- 
law and her sons-in-law, and the grand- 
children in part : Mrs. L. P. Thompson, 
from Clarence, la. ; Mrs. Arthur Bradley, of 
Maiden, Mass. ; William Wiley, of White 
River Junction ; Charles, of St. Albans ; 
Edwin and Delia Wiley, Clinton Brackett, 
George Tilden, with their husbands and 
wives and four great-grandchildren, " un- 
cles, cousins and aunts." Over the front 
door was " Welcome! " in cedar; within, 
the mammoth cake on the table, "a pyr- 



amid of snowy whiteness, crowned with an 
exquisite white rose with silver leaves," a 
rose-pyramid rising beside, the gift of the 
great-grandchildren, of ninety rosebuds, 
rare specimens, just bursting into beauty, 
that filled the room with their delicious 
perfume ; over the wall above, " 1791 and 
i8gi ; " another table — an elegant bouquet 
of hot-house flowers from St. Albans 
friends, a mound of asters, artistically ar- 
ranged, very handsome, from Mrs. E. P. 
Burnham, with letters of regret from friends 
who could not come, on the table. The 
photographer was there, and views taken 
of the family gathered about the aged 
mother in front of her house. Then there 
was the bountiful supper in the town-hall, 
five long tables, the central one laid with 
the mother's old-fashioned mulberry ware 
and silver of " ye olden" solidity and style ; 
and after, the birthday address by Rev. 
Eli Ballou, of Bethel, who referred to Mrs. 
Spalding's coming to Roxbury when the 
town was but a wilderness, being one of 
the first settlers. He spoke feelingly of 
the kind, loving mother she had been, how 
deserving of all their love and respect ; 
this occasion would remain a bright spot 
in their memories. Mrs. S. was born in 
Straflbrd, Ct., married John Spalding at 
20, and came to Roxbury. 

NORA, BLOSSOM OF THE MAY. 

BY A. WEBSTER. 

Where departed kindred sleep, 
And the living come and weep. 
Laid we, on a vernal day, 
Nora, blossom of the May. 
Seven sunnners' suns and flowers. 
Seven antumns' russet bowers. 
Eight sweet springtimes, fair and gaj". 
Saw our blossom of the May. 

Mild was she, and sweetly fair. 
Azure eyes and nut-brown hair; 
Voice that rivaled warblers' lay, 
Had our blossom of the May. 
Earth is sad now she is gone, 
Heaven another charm has won; 
Where to meet, we hope and pray, 
Nora, blossom of the May. 
Rest, sweet blossom, rest In peace, 
Where all pains and sorrows cease; 
In our hearts shall ne'er decay, 
Nora, blossom of the May. 
Nora, blossom of the May, 
Pride of her parental spray, 
Sweetly bloomed and passed away, 
Nora, blossom of the May, 



FAYSTON. 



m 



dwellings, stores and shops (log-houses 
excepted) should be assessed at two per 
cent, of their value, if in the judgment of 
the listers their value did not exceed $1000. 
And if valued at more than $1000, at three 
per cent. The law also specified how per- 
sonal property should be set in the list, as 
above. Wooden clocks were not taxed. 
Attorneys, physicians, merchants, mechan- 
ics, etc., were assessed in proportion to 
their gains. 

1820: 86 polls at $2Q, $1720 ; 1990 acres 
of improved land at .08 of appraised value, 
$1366.42; 103 houses and lots at .04 ap- 
praised value, $247.06; 9 mills, stores, 
etc., at .06 appraised value, $48.60; 140 
oxen at $10, $1400; 429 cows and three- 
year olds at $6, $2574; 169 cattle, two- 
year olds at $5, $845 ; 132 horses, three 
years old and upwards, at $14, $1848 ; 26 
two-years old at $7, $182 ; 22 one-year old 
at $4, $88 ; i stallion at $50, $50 ; 5 brass 
clocks at $10, $50 ; i gold watch at $10, 
$10; 20 common do. at $5, $100; $1100 
money at .06, $66; total, $11295.08 ; 34 
militia polls and 9 cavalry horses were ex- 
empt from State taxes. 

1830: 252 polls at $10, $2520; 3690 
acres of land at .06, $1558.60; 541 houses 
and lots at .04, $1401.40 ; 14 mills, stores, 
etc., at .06, $62.40; 281 oxen at $2, $562 ; 
712 cows and other cattle of three years 
old, at $1.25, $890; 254 cattle of two 
years old at .75 each, $190.50; 25 horses 
and mules, three years old, appraised at 
less than $25, at $1, $25; 180 over $25 
and less than $75, at $3, $540 ; 6 at $75, 
at .06, $36 ; 43 two years, at $2, $86 ; 33 one 
year, at $1.25, $41.25 ; 2797 sheep at .10 
each, $279.70; 7 carriages at .06 of ap- 
praised value, $6.30; 8 brass clocks at $3, 
$24 ; 20 watches at $1, $20 ; $3350 money 
on hand, etc., at .06, $201 ; $90 bank stock 
at .03, $2.70 ; 2 practitioners of medicine 
assessed, $35 ; i merchant and trader, do., 
$30 ; total, $85 1 1 .85 ; 148 militia polls and 
6 cavalry horses, exempt. 

In 1840, the list amounted to $10373.54. 
Later lists were assessed nearly as at pres- 
ent, and are as follows : 





Polls. 


Real. 


Personal. 


Gd.List. 


isso 


2G6 


$281,774 


$32,023 


$3,675 


ISfiO 


312 


304,473 


46.647 


4,134 


1870 


340 


374,573 


71,936 


4,848 


1878 


326 


296,652 


67,807 


4,269 



FAYSTON. 

BY MRS. LAURA BRIGHAM BOYCE. 

This township is in the S. W. corner of 
the County, 20 miles from Montpelier ; 
b. N. by Duxbury, E. by Waitsfield, S. by 
Warren and Lincoln, W. by Huntington 
and BuelPs Gore ; 6 miles square ; land el- 
evated, lying in large swells, except along 
Mill brook and Shephard's brook, where 
there is some intervale. Shephard's brook 
runs through the North part of the town, 
and empties into Mad river in Waitsfield. 
It affords ample water power, and several 
flourishing mills are in operation on its 
banks. 

There was an extensive beaver meadow 
on this stream, and many of the trees on 
its banks were partly cut down by these 
animals. The brook received its name 
from one Shephard, who used to hunt 
beavers here. 

Mill brook runs through the South part 
of the town, in an Easterly direction, and 
empties into Mad river in Waitsfield ; this 
stream has good water-power, and several 
mills and one tannery are located on it. 
There is considerable good lumber in town, 
especially in the more mountainous parts, 
the most valuable of which is spruce. As 
many as 7,000 or 8,000 clapboard logs are 
annually cut in Fayston, besides the com- 
mon lumber, ash, basswood, etc. There is 
also a good deal of hemlock, the bark of 
which is used extensively in tanneries. 
The spruce and hemlock lumber is a source 
of profit to the inhabitants. The maple is 
abundant, and there are many valuable 
sugar orchards ; some have a thousand 
handsome second growth trees in one body. 
This adds an item to the income of the 
farmer, at the prices that have prevailed for 
maple sugar and syrup of late years. 

The soil is strong and fertile, though 
not as easily tilled as a more sandy loam. 
These fertile upland farms are well adapted 
to dairying, as the sweetest grass is found 
here, and water as pure and soft as ever 
drank, two indispensable requisites for the 
dairy. Dairying is the chief source of in- 
come of a greater part of the inhabitants, 
though wheat and oats are raised here in 



23 



I7B 



Vermont historical magazine. 



abundance, but potatoes more especially. 
Corn is often a remunerative crop ; but not 
so sure as on the intervales. 

Fayston was granted Feb. 25, and char- 
tered Feb. 27, 1782, to Ebenezer Wal- 
bridge and hisas.sociates. It was first set- 
tled by Lynde Wait in 1798. In 1800, 
there were 18 persons in town. 

Lucia Wait, daughter of Lynde Wait, 
better known as Squire Wait, was born in 
1 80 1, the first child born in town; subse- 
quently, Wait Farr, a son of William Farr, 
was born, and received a lot of land from 
Griswold Wait, as being the first male 
child born in town. From which we see 
in those primitive days the weaker were 
oppressed by the stronger, as they are still. 
There was no orthodox reason why Lucia 
Wait should not have had that lot of land 
as her birthright — except that sJie wasiCt a 
boy. 

The town was organized Aug. 6, 1805. 
James Wait was the first town clerk ; 
Thomas Green the first constable ; and 
Lynde Wait, Rufus Barrett and William 
Williams the first selectmen. Aug. 27, 
1805, there was a town meeting called to 
petition the General Assembly to be set off 
with other towns from Chittenden County, 
which was not granted until some time in 
1 8 10 or 181 1, when Fayston became a part 
of Jefferson County. 

The first highways were surveyed in 1807, 
by Edmund Rice, surveyor. The first 
school district was organized in 1809, and 
consisted of the whole town, but subse- 
quently, in 1 8 ID, we believe, it was di- 
vided into two districts. The first tax 
levied on the grand list was in 1807, which 
was 5 cents on a dollar, to be worked out 
on the highway. The first tax levied on 
the grand list to be paid in money was in 
1810. It was I cent on a dollar, and we 
have no doubt was as hard for these people 
as were the excessive taxes during the war 
for their descendants. The taxes levied 
on the grand list in Fayston during the war 
in one year were $10.79 on a dollar of the 
grand list, making a poll tax of $21.58, and 
school and highway taxes besides, which 
must have made another dollar. This was 
in 1864. There were several other bounty 



taxes raised during the war, but this was 
the heaviest. Fayston paid her war debt 
as she went along, and can show a clean 
record. In 181 2, the town voted to raise 
I cent on a dollar for the support of 
schools, which was to be paid to the town 
treasurer in grain. At this time there 
were 25 children in district No. i, between 
the ages of 4 and 18. 

In March, 1809, William Newcomb, 
William Rogers and Marjena Gardener 
were elected " hog howards," an office now 
obsolete, and exactly what its duties were, 
even then, we are unable to learn. But it 
was an old-time custom to elect newly- 
married men to that notable office, which 
might have been no sinecure after all, as 
the swine in those days all ran where they 
listed, and unless they were much less 
vicious than their modern descendants, it 
must have needed three " hog constables" 
to a town to have kept them in order. 

In April, 1808, William and PaulBoyce, 
two Quakers, emigrated from Richmond, 
N. H., and settled near beaver meadow, on 
Shephard's brook. This was the first open- 
ing in what is now called North Fayston. 
There is a little romance connected with 
this same William Boyce. It seems that 
William's susceptible heart had been touch- 
ed by one Irene Ballou, a Quaker maiden 
of his native place, and when he had made 
a beginning on his new home in the woods 
he began to be lonely, and feel the need of 
a helpmate to wash his wooden plates and 
pewter porringer, and also to assist him in 
picking up brush, planting potatoes, and 
several other things wherein the good 
wives made themselves useful in "the 
olden time," being then truly helpmates for 
men, instead of help spends, as many of the 
more modern wives are. So William jour- 
neyed to Richmond to claim his bride. 
He tarried long, and when he returned it 
was not the gentle Irene who accompanied 
him . Whether he met with a fairer Quaker- 
ess than she, and lost his heart with her 
against his will, or whether Irene was 
averse to going into the new country, 
among the bears and wolves, tradition 
saith not, but that it was not the latter 
I reason we may infer from her farewell to 



FAYSTON. 



179 



him : " William, I wish thee well, I hope 
the Lord will bless thee, but I know He 
wont." Says one of his descendants : "I 
think He didn't, for he was always in some 
sort of trouble or other." Let the fate of 
William be a warning to all young Quakers, 
as well as those who quake not at all, to 
always keep their promises. 

BOYCE FAMILY OF FAYSTON. 

Paul Boyce married Rhoda Palmer, of 
Waitsfield, and here on the farm they first 
rescued from the wilderness, they lived to 
a ripe old age, and were finally buried in 
tlie cemetery not far away. 

Their son, Ziba Wentworth Boyce, 
always resided in town until his death, 
1877, age, 63. He received but a common 
school education, but by his own efforts, 
ultimately became a thorough scholar, and 
taught school many terms. Later he served 
the town in various capacities, and up to 
the time of his death was noted for his fine 
mental endowments. He was often jo- 
cosely called the " wisdom of North Fays- 
ton," and not altogether without reason. 
He was a writer of considerable ability, 
both in prose and verse. His two daugh- 
ters inherited his talent for writing, more 
especially his younger daughter, Mrs. Em- 
ongene Smith, now a resident of Dubuque, 
Iowa. The eldest daughter, Mrs. S. Mi- 
nerva Boyce, has always remained at the 
homestead. 

When Ziba W. was quite a young lad, 
his father sent him one night with his 
brother after the sheep, but they having 
strayed from their usual pasture, they 
failed to find them. In the morning they 
/ound what there was left of them, eleven 
having been devoured by the wolves during 
the night. 

On one occasion Paul Boyce was going 
off into the woods with his oxen, when he 
met a bear with two cubs face to face. The 
meeting was not a remarkably pleasant one 
to him ; he being a Quaker and averse to 
fighting, was pleased when the bear turned 
and trotted off. 

About the year 1809, Stephen Griggs 
emigrated from Pomfret, Conn., and set- 
tled about one-half mile from Esquire Wait's 



farm. He resided there as long as he 
lived, and his companion, who survived 
him many years, died there. The place 
has never passed out of the family, a grand- 
daughter at present residing there. This 
farm and the Brigham farm are the only 
ones in South Fayston which have never 
passed out of the families of the first set- 
tlers. 

Deer-yards were frequently found on the 
eastern slopes of the hills. The early set- 
tlers used to hunt them in winter when the 
snow was deep, so that they could not es- 
cape. Buck's horns were often found in 
the woods. Sable were quite abundant. 
Ezra Meach, of Shelburne, passed through 
the town in 1809, setting his line of traps 
for sable, and blazed trees along his route. 
He found it quite profitable business, as 
these animals were exceedingly good in the 
western part of the town. The panther, the 
great dread of the juvenile community, 
was often seen, or supposed to be seen, 
but never captured in this town. 

UNCLE John's Indian raid. 

Some time about 1803, there were then 
five or six families settled in what is now 
known as South Fayston. There were 
Uncle John and Uncle Rufus Barrett — ^^I 
call them Uncle John and Uncle Rufus, as 
these were the names by which I knew 
them in my early childhood, albeit they 
were both young men at the date of my 
story. There were Squire Wait and Thos. 
Green, and if there were others I do not 
know their names. 

Now at that time the raising of a new 
house or barn was a job that required 
plenty of muscle and new rum, for they 
were built of logs, and very heavy. 

On a certain day, somebody in Warren 
was to raise a barn, and as the country 
was sparsely settled, everybody was in- 
vited far and near, and all the men of Fays- 
ton went except Uncle John. Whether 
he stayed at home to guard the women and 
children from the bears and wolves, tra- 
dition saith not. I only know he "tarried 
by the stuff," and all went well till near 
sundown, when suddenly there burst upon 
his ears a long, wild cry, between a howl 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and a whoop. Uncle John was on the 
alert ; he listened with bated breath a few 
moments ; louder and nearer than before 
came that terrible howl, this time in a dif- 
ferent direction. 

'"Tis the Indian war whoop," said 
Uncle John ; " no doubt we are surround- 
ed, and the men all away." He stood not 
upon the order of going, but went at once. 
Uncle John was no coward, and if the red- 
skins got his scalp, they should buy it 
dearly, he resolved, and seizing his gun, 
Ijidding his wife to follow, he ran to alarm 
the neighbors, and get them all together, 
that he might defend them as long as pos- 
sible. In a short time every woman and 
child in the settlement was ensconced in 
Uncle Rufus' domicile, with all the fire- 
arms the settlement contained, the door 
barricaded, and all the preparations made 
to receive the red-skins that one man 
could do, aided by a few courageous women. 
They listened, with hearing made acute by 
fear, for the repetition of the war whoop. 
Now they heard it evidently nearing them 
— Uncle John loaded all the guns — now 
they heard it further away. With pale 
faces and palpitating hearts, they awaited 
the onset. The twilight shades deepened, 
the night closed in, but still the Indians 
did not attack them. 

Now there was an additional anxiety 
among the inmates of the little cabin, for 
it was time for the men to be returning 
from the raising, and as they were un- 
armed, they would fall an easy prey to 
the Indians. 

Meanwhile the men, having finished their 
labors, were returning home, all uncon- 
scious of the danger menacing them. They 
reached home, but were surprised to find 
those homes deserted. "Come on to my 
house," said Uncle Rufus, "perhaps the 
women were lonesome, and have gone to 
make my wife a visit." So, not knowing 
what else to do, they went on. Yes, there 
was a light at Uncle Rufus \ sure enough, 
and a glance sufficed to show that there 
was some unusual commotion within. What 
could it be ? 

" Hark, I hear voices," cried one of the 
women, " it is the Indians this time, sure." 



The children began to cry, and I suppose 
it would have been very delicate if the 
women had fainted, but they did no such 
thing. 

"What are you all about here? why 
don't you let us in?" cried Uncle Rufus, 
shaking the door. The door was opened 
speedily, and instead of being scalped by 
the Indians, they fell into the arms of their 
astonished husbands. 

" What is all this pow-wow about, any- 
way?" said one. Then Uncle John ex- 
plained how he had heard the Indian war- 
whoop off in the woods, and had gathered 
the women and children there together 
for protection. The men burst into a loud 
laugh. "It was the wolves," said Squire 
Wait, "we heard them howling on the 
mountain as we came home. I'll be bound 
there isn't a red-skin within 50 miles." 

Uncle John was somewhat crestfallen, 
but he was rather glad after all that it 
wasn't Indians, for he preferred to have 
his scalp in its proper place, rather than 
dangling from the red-skins' belts. 

Some time in 18 14, there was a rumor 
current of great treasure buried by the 
Spanish Legions at the forks of Shepherd's 
brook, and William Boyce, having a desire 
for " the root of all evil," resolved to find 
it. He engaged one Arad Sherman, a 
man of such magical powers that in his 
hands a witch-hazel rod performed as 
many antics as the rod of Aaron, and they 
went about the search. Arad took the 
enchanted rod, and lo ! it pointed out the 
exact location of the buried treasure, but 
it remained for them to dig and get it. It 
had been revealed to Arad that they must 
dig in the night time, and no word must 
be spoken by any one of the number dur- 
ing the whole time of the digging, else the 
treasure would be lost to them. So one 
night they started on their secret expedi- 
tion. Nothing was heard but the dull thud 
of the bars in the earth, and grating of the 
spade. The earth was obstinate, but they 
were determined no powers of earth should 
cheat them of their treasure. The hours 
wore on, when suddenly William's bar 
struck against the iron chest containing the 
treasure, with a sharp " clink." Over- 



FAYSTON. 



iSi 



joyed at their success, William forgot the 
caution and cried out "I've found it !" At 
that instant the box shook with an ominous 
rattle, and sank down, down, far below the 
sight of their longing eyes, taking the bar 
and all with it, says the tradition. Fright- 
ened nearly out of their wits, they "ske- 
daddled" for home, sadder if not better 
men, and the treasure remains buried there 
to this day. 

In the winter of 1826, a beautiful doe 
was run down Shepherd's brook to Mad 
river, near Jason Carpenter's and brought 
up in an open eddy out of the reach of the 
dogs. Judge Carpenter caught it in his 
arms, and, seven or eight hunters coming 
up just then, he told them that they could 
not have the doe, but each one of them 
might go and select a sheep from his flock, 
if they would go home about their busi- 
ness. Nothing but the beautiful doe would 
satisfy these blood-thirsty hunters, and, 
seizing the deer by main force, they killed 
it on the spot. 

Pigeons were abundant. One device 
for keeping them oflT the grain patches was 
a boy threshing a log chain around a 
stump. They used also to construct bough 
houses on the edge of the field, and draw 
a huge net over the baiting place, thus se- 
curing dozens at a haul. Partridges were 
caught on their drumming logs in snares, 
or, if not there, the gunner was' sure to 
find them in some thicket. So it came to 
be a proverb, " hunted like a partridge." 

In early days Uncle Moses Eaton used 
to bring corn from Richmond on the backs 
of two horses, the roads not being passable 
for any vehicle. 

On his journey Uncle Moses met Uncle 
Joe Clark, of Duxbury, at Pride's tavern 
in Waterbury. " Now," said Uncle Joe, 
" you will want some pork to go with that 
corn, and you just call at my house, and 
tell Aunt Betsey to put you up a good clear 
piece of pork." The next time they met 
Uncle Moses said, " I called on Aunt Bet- 
sey, as you told me, and she raised her 
hands and blessed herself, saying, " What 
on airth does that man mean, sending any 
one here for pork, when he knows that we 
haint had any kind of meat in the house 



for six months ?" But Uncle Joe enjoyed 
the joke hugely. 

In Fayston there was considerable snow 
on the 8th and 9th of June, 18 16, and 
everything was frozen down to the ground. 
The trees put out new leaves three times 
during that season, having been cut off 
twice by frost; hardly anything ripened, 
and the settlers saw dreary times. 

WILLIAM NEWCOMB 

came to the township quite early in its set- 
tlement, and finished his days here. He 
built one of the first framed houses in 
town. Esquire Wait's being the first ; Mr. 
Newcomb and Merrill Tyler each built 
theirs the same year, but I am unable to 
learn in what year. Mr. Newcomb's farm 
was occupied by his son Hoseamany years, 
but has passed into the hands of strangers. 
The old house was burned during a high 
wind, in Oct. 1878. 

Dr. Dan Newcomb, son of Hosea New- 
comb, was born and reared here, but lias 
been for several years a practicing physi- 
cian in Steele County, 111. He is also the 
author of a medical work entitled, " When 
and How," a work of considerable merit. 
Don Carlos, another son, is a prominent 
wholesale merchant of Atchison, "Kansas. 

NATHAN AND JACOB BOYCE. 

In 1808, Nathan Boyce and his wife, 
Zeviah, came to Fayston, and settled on 
Shephard's brook, near Paul Boyce, of 
whom he was a relative, and also of the 
Quaker faith. Nathan Boyce died many 
years ago ; his wife in 1856, aged about 90, 
I think. She resided with her son Jacob, 
who died in 186-. His wife still survives 
him, at the age of 81 (1878. She is still 
living, Aug. 1881.) She lives on the old 
farm with her son, Seth Boyce. The farm 
has always remained in the family. 

Jacob Boyce had 4 sons and 4 daughters, 
all of whom, save one, are settled in Fays- 
ton or the immediately adjacent towns. 

BRIGHAM FAMILY. 

In 1809, Gershom Brigham and family 
emigrated from Winchester, N. H., and 
settled in South Fayston, near Lynde 
Wait's. Elisha, their third child, was then 
17 years old, and eventually settled on the 



l82 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



same land, his other brothers and sisters 
finding other homes. His parents resided 
with him while they lived, and their bones 
rest in the little green grave-yard on the 
old Wait farm. Elisha lived here to ripe 
old age, raising a family of 1 1 children, all 
of whom are now living except one daugh- 
ter, who died at the age of 42. The two 
eldest sons and the two youngest daughters 
of this family have some literary talent, 
having all contributed to the press accept- 
ably, in prose and verse. The eldest son, 
[See separate notice of Dr. G.N. Brigham] . 

Elisha Brigham died in 1863, aged 70 
years ; his widow in 1876, agedvy. The 
old home that she had resided in for more 
than 40 years, took fire in some mysterious 
manner, and was burned in the early morn- 
ing hours, when her demise was hourly 
expected. She was borne from the flam- 
ing house to the home of a neighbor, and 
breathed her last in the very house whence 
she went on her wedding day to be mar- 
ried 59 years before. 

Mrs. Brigham was a woman of remark- 
able powers, mental and physical. Left an 
orphan by the death of her mother at the 
age of 12, she came from Randolph, Vt., 
her native place, to reside in the family of 
Esquire Wait, so she became early identi- 
fied with the history of the town. Her re- 
markably vigorous constitution and ambi- 
tion to excel, fitted her for the position of 
a pioneer's wife, and she endured the hard- 
ships and deprivations consequent on the 
building up of a new place, with great 
fortitude. With a large family of her own 
and many cares, yet she acted as nurse for 
half the town, and such was herskill inthe 
management of the sick, that the old phy- 
sician, now dead, used always, if he had 
a critical case, to send for Mrs. Brigham, 
and said, with her to nurse them, he felt 
pretty sure of bringing his patients through. 
Her very presence and touch seemed to 
bring healing with them. 

When Mrs. Brigham was a fair, young 
wife of 19, she was small, lithe and supple, 
with nerves of steel, and she never shrank 
from any of the hardships of her life. 
They then made sugar nearly a mile from 
the house. It was growing late in the 



spring, and Mr. Brigham was anxious to 
be about his spring's work, and his wife, 
being equally anxious for a good supply of 
sugar, offered to go with her sister, a girl 
of 17, and boil in the sap. Taking the 
baby with them, they started for the sugar- 
camp. It was late in spring and quite 
warm, and babies were not killed by a 
breath of fresh air in those days. They 
boiled sap all day, Mrs. B. gathering in 
some sap near the boiling place. In the 
afternoon they heard a good deal of bark- 
ing off in the woods, but supposed it was 
some hounds after foxes. Mr. Brigham 
did not get up to the sugar-camp to bring 
clown the syrup till nine o'clock, they stay- 
ing there alone until that time; A neigh- 
bor passing through the camp early the 
next morning, found a sheep dead at the 
foot of a tree where Mrs. Brigham had 
gathered sap at sundown. The sheep was 
still warm when Mr. Brigham arrived on 
the spot. On looking around, they found 
20 sheep had been killed by the wolves. 
Mrs. Brigham and her fair sister did not 
care to boil till nine o'clock the next night. 
On one occasion Mrs. Brigham, desiring 
to get some weaving done, mounted an un- 
broken, 3-years-oldcoIt, that had never had 
a woman on his back before, and started 
on a ride of 4 miles through the woods, to 
Wm. Farr's, with a bag of yarn fastened to 
the saddle-bow. There was only a bridle- 
path part of the way, and the colt was shy, 
but he found his match in the little woman 
of scarce 100 pounds' weight, and carried 
her safely to her destination. Her busi- 
ness dispatched at Mr. Farr's, she started 
homeward by another route, having oc- 
casion to call at one William Marsten's,who 
lived far up on the road leading over the 
mountain into Huntington, and from thence 
homeward by a route so indistinctly mark- 
ed, blazed trees being the guide, she mis- 
took a path worn by the cattle for the 
traveled road, and did not discover her 
mistake till she came up to the pasture 
fence. Nothing daunted, she took down 
the fence, passed over, then replaced it, 
and went over, being then so near home 
that she felt pretty sure of her whereabouts. 
After the colt became better broken, she 



FAYSTON. 



used often to take one child in her arms 
and another behind her, and go to the 
store, 3 or 4 miles distant, or visit a distant 
neighbor, or to go to meeting. 

JOTHAM CARPENTER 

was the first settled minister, and received 
the minister lot of land in this town. How 
many years he remained here I know not, 
but he has one son now living in Brook- 
field. 

Preaching has generally been of a desul- 
tory character, owing to the fact that North 
and South Fayston are divided by a nat- 
ural barrier of hills, that makes it far more 
convenient for the North section to go to 
Moretown, and the South part is more ac- 
cessible to Waitsfield, so that it seems 
probable that the different sections will 
never unite in worship. The people in N. 
Fayston have an organized Baptist society, 
and have quite frequent preaching, and 
some years hire a minister, and many 
years ago, the Methodists had quite a large 
society in So. Fayston, but it has been 
dismembered a long time,- and most of its 
former members are dead, and those re- 
maining have united with the Methodist 
church in Waitsfield. 

John and Rufus Barrett were among the 
early settlers, and one Thomas Green, but 
as they have no descendants remaining in 
town, I cannot tell when they settled here, 
but they were here as early as 1803, it is 
believed. 

Elizabeth, widow of John Barrett, died 
in Waitsfield a few years since (1878) 
aged 93 years. She survived her husband 
many years. 

One Jonathan Lamson died in town sev- 
eral years ago, at the age of 84. His wife 
lived to the age of 107 years. Timothy 
Chase died at the age of 91 ; his wife, Ruth, 
some years earlier, over 80. Lynde Wait, 
the first settler, moved from town many 
years ago, and eventually went West, and 
I have learned, died at an advanced age, 
over 80. Nearly all the early settlers 
whom I have known, lived to ripe old age, 
but they have passed away, and with them 
much of the material for a full history of 
the town. I have gathered as much as I 



could that is reliable, but even the last 
two, from whom I have elicited most of 
the facts recorded here, have now gone to 
their long homes, and much that I have 
gathered here would now be forever sealed 
in silence, had I began my work a little 
later. 

CAPT. ELLIOT PORTER, 

the first captain of the militia in the town, 
was born in Hartford, Vt., 1785, married 
Sidney Ward in 181 1, and soon after re- 
moved to Fayston, where they began to 
clear them a home in the North part of 
the town, where they resided till their 
death. He died at the age of 89 ; his wife 
at 86. They had 8 children. William E. 
Porter, their son, died at 57 ; 4 sons are 
now living. 

WILLARD n. PORTER, 

son of Elliot, has always resided in town, 
near where he was born, and has served 
the town in almost every official capacity. 
He has been town clerk 31 years, school 
district clerk 25 years, treasurer 14 years, 
justice of the peace 30 years, and in that 
capacity married 86 couple. He has rep- 
resented the town 6 sessions, including i 
extra session, and has attended 2 consti- 
tutional conventions. Mr. Porter says the 
first school he attended was in his father's 
log-house chamber ; the scholars, his eldest 
brother, himself and one Jane Laws ; the 
teacher's name, Elizabeth Sherman. Mr. 
Willard Porter has done more business 
for the town than any other person now 
living. 

WARREN C. PORTER 

served as a soldier during nearly the whole 
war of the Rebellion, and has taught school 
24 terms. Dr. Wilfred W. Porter, see 
separate notice. Walter, the youngest 
son, remains on the old homestead, and it 
was his care to soothe the declining years 
of his parents as they went slowly down 
the dark valley. 

There was no death occurred in the 
family of Elliot Porter for 50 years. 

WILLIAM SHERMAN 

was among the early settlers of Fayston, 
though I am not informed in what year he 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



settled here. He represented the town in 
the general assembly, and held other town 
offices. His daughter, widow of Eli Bruce, 
still lives on the old homestead that he re- 
deemed from the wilderness. 

ELI BRUCE 

was a long-time resident of Fayston, and 
did a large amount of business for the 
town, several times being the represent- 
ative, and justice of peace for many years. 
He died at the age of 69. His daughter 
was the first person buried in the cemetery 
in N. Fayston. 

SILAS W. FISHER 

resides in N. Fayston, on the farm where 
he has lived for 50 years. His wife has 
been dead some years. He has two sur- 
viving sons ; one in the West, and the 
other, CM. Fisher, is constable of Fays- 
ton at the present time — 1878. He died 
in 1879. 

BENJAMIN B. FISHER 

was the first postmaster in town, and held 
the office till his death, and his wife held 
the office 4 years afterwards. Truman 
Murray is the present incumbent. 

RILEY MANSFIELD 

came to the town when he was quite a 
young man, and passed his days here, 
dying in 1876, aged 75 ; his wife in 1874 ; 
out of a large family, there is only one sur- 
viving child of theirs. 

JOSEPH MARBLE 

came to Fayston in September, 1809, and 
with his wife Susan passed the remnant of 
his days here, dying at the age of 84 ; his 
wife at 81. They had 11 children, two 
only are living (1878.) One daughter in 
Wisconsin, and Benjamin on the farm 
where his father began 70 years ago. He 
is I think now over 80 years of age — is 
still living, aged 86. Cynthia, daughter of 
Joseph Marble, and widow of Peter Quim- 
by, died Aug., 1878, aged 74. 

One fall, Joseph Marble, Jr., had a log- 
rolling, to build a new house, the old one 
giving signs of failing up. In the evening 
the rosy cheeked lasses from far and near 
joined with the athletic youths in a dance. 
It wasn't the "German," nor waltz, nor 



polka, but a genuine jig. It was a merry 
company who beat time to the music of a 
corn-stalk fiddle in farmer Marble's kitch- 
en, the jocund laugh and jest followed the 
"O be joyful," as it went its unfailing 
round, which it always did on such occa- 
sions. They grew exceedingly merry, and 
one fellow, feeling chock full and rvmning 
over with hilarity, declared "When they 
felt like that they ought to kick it ottt.'' So 
they put in ' ' the double shuffle, toe and 
heel," with such zest that the decayed 
sleepers gave way. Down went floor, 
dancers, corn-stalk fiddle, and all, into 
the cellar. Whether the hilarious fellow 
" kicked it out" to his satisfaction, we are 
not informed, but if his fiddle was injured 
in its journey it could be easily replaced. 

In 1830, a little daughter of William 
Marston, 4 years old, strayed from home, 
and wandered on and on in the obscure 
bridle path. She came out at one Carpen- 
ter's, in Huntington, having crossed the 
mountain, and spent a day and a night in 
the woods ; and beasts of prey, at that 
time were numerous upon the mountains. 

Jonathan Nelson had a son and daugh- 
ter lost in the woods about 1842. The 
boy was 12 years of age, the girl younger. 
After a toilsome search, they were found 
on the second day, unharmed, near Cam- 
el's Hump. 

In 1847, the alarm was given that a 
little son of Ira Wheeler, 4 years old, had 
not returned from school. The neighbors 
turned out, and searching all day returned 
at night without any trace of the lost one. 
The mothej was almost distracted. The 
search was continued the second day with 
no better results. I remember hearing 
my brother say, as he took a quantity of 
provisions with him on the third day, that 
they were "resolved not to return home 
again until the boy was found either dead 
or alive," though many thought that he 
must have perished already, either from 
hunger and fatigue, or from the bears in- 
festing the woods. He was soon found in 
the town of Duxbury, several miles from 
home, having been nearly 3 days and 
nights in the woods. He had carried his 
dinner-pail when he started from school 



FAYSTON. 



i8s 



at night, and providentially some of the 
scholars had given him some dinner that 
day, so that his own remained untouched. 

This being the second time the men had 
been called out to hunt for lost children in 
5 years, some of them were getting rather 
tired of the thing, whereupon Ziba Boyce 
drew up a set of resolutions and read them 
on the occasion, after the child was found, 
and all were feeling as jolly as such weary 
mortals could. I have not a copy of them 
all, but it was resolved " that mothers be 
instructed to take care of their children, 
and not let them wander off into woods to 
be food for the bears, or for the neighbors 
to hunt up." 

There have been no more lost children 
to search for in Fayston since that, so we 
may suppose it to have been effective. 

Fayston, along with other towns, has 
suffered from freshets at various times. In 
the year 1830, occurred what was known 
as the "great freshet." Buildings were 
swept away, one person was drowned, and 
others barely escaped. The famous 
"Green Mountain slide," which began 
within a few feet of the summit, where 
the town is divided from BuePs Gore, 
in sight of the homestead where I was 
born, occurred in the summer of 1827. 
It had rained quite hard some days, and 
the soil, becoming loosened, gave way, 
carrying with it trees, rocks, and the debris 
of ages, on its downward course. Gath- 
ering impetus as it advanced, for the moun- 
tain is very steep here, it went thundering 
down the mountain side a distance of a 
mile or more, with a crash and rumble 
that shook the earth for miles around, like 
an earthquake. One branch of Mill brook 
comes down from here, and, being dam- 
med up by the debris of this grand ava- 
lanche, its waters accumulated till it be- 
came a miniature lake, then overleaping 
its barriers it rushed down to its work 
of destruction below. In July, 1858, a 
destructive freshet visited Fayston, and 
the towns adjacent. It had been exceed- 
ingly dry, and water was very low. At 
7 o'clock in the afternoon, on Satur- 
day, July, 3, the workmen in the mill of 
Campbell & Grandy were desiring rain, 



that they might run the mill. They got 
what they desired, only got too much ; for 
instead of running the mill they ran for 
their lives, and let the mill run itself, as it 
did very rapidly down stream, in less than 
2 hours after the rain commenced. The 
old saying "it never rains but it pours" 
was verified ; it came in sheets. I remem- 
ber watching the brooks surging through 
our door-yard ; we felt no alarm, thinking 
a thunder shower not likely to do much 
damage. We retired to rest, and slept 
undisturbed, not being in the vicinity of 
the large streams. We learned in the 
morning every bridge between Fayston 
and Middlesex, but one, was swept away. 
Campbell & Grandy's mill went off before 
10 o'clock, and the hoaee pertaining to the 
mill was so much undermined by the water, 
the inmates left, taking what valuables 
they could with them. Mr. Green's fam- 
ily also deserted their house. The water 
was several feet deep in the road, but, the 
storm soon subsiding, the houses did not 
go off. 

A clapboard mill owned by Brigham 
brother, on Shepherd's brook, was ruined. 
Not a mill in town escaped a good deal of 
injury. Many people left their houses, 
expecting them to be carried down the 
seething flood, and but one bridge of any 
account was left in town, and the roads 
were completely demoralized ! 

This storm seemed a local one, not 
doing much damage except in the towns 
in the Mad river basin and on tributary 
streams. I have heard it speculated that 
two rain clouds met on the mountain 
ridges. Be that as it may, I think two 
hours' rain seldom did such damage in any 
locality. 

In the freshet of 1869, Fayston suffered 
less than many other towns, but several 
bridges were carried off, the roads cut up 
badly, mill dams swept away, etc. 

The mill rebuilt on the site of the one 
swept away in 1858, this time owned by 
Richardson & Rich, was again carried off, 
but as considerable of the machinery was 
afterward found, Mr. Richardson deter- 
mined to rebuild, putting it a few rods 
lower down the stream. He has built a 



24 



i86 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



fine, large mill there, and feels secure this 
mill shall stand. 

Fayston is a ve:y healthy town. There 
are several living in town over 80 years 
of age. 

[This was written in 1867.] 
ELISHA BRIGHAM 

was born in old Marlboro, Mass., 1792. 
In the common school he obtained all the 
education he ever had beyond the jaoor 
chance of gleaning a little, here and there, 
from a limited supply of books, amid a 
multitude of cares at home ; but at the 
age of 12, he had mastered most of Pike's 
Arithmetic ; performing more examples 
by the feeble light of an old-fashioned 
chimney fire-place, than at school. So 
engaged was he that he often went to bed 
on a difficult problem, to dream it out on 
his pillow. From Old Marlboro, the fam- 
mily removed to Winchester, N. H., and 
there hearing of the emigration to the 
Winooski, and Mad River Valleys, they cast 
lots with the pioneers to this then wilderness 
country, and removed on to the tract of 
land owned in the present homestead. 
Elisha, now 16, began to take the lead in 
business, his father being very infirm. 
About half a dozen families were settled in 
the south part of the town, having made, 
little openings in the forest, with no well 
worked road into the town. He and two 
other members of the family, came the 
first year to roll up the log-house. The 
next year all came on, and a family of 8 
persons, several children younger than 
himself, seemed to be dependent on him, 
even so young, as a foster-father and a 
guardian. He commenced levelling the 
old forest trees, and bringing into tillage, 
meadow and pasturage. Early and late 
he toiled, and year by year the meadow 
widened, and the line of woods receded. 

In the earliest business transactions of 
the town, we find the name of Elisha Brig- 
ham. There was hardly a year from that 
time till his death, but what he held 
some town office. But what most distin- 
guished him was his exact honesty. No 
man could ever say that he defrauded him 
of the least in this world's goods. He 
would rather suffer wrong than to do 



wrong. He never could oppress the weak, 
as, instinctively, his whole nature prompted 
him to espouse thfeir cause. And his reli- 
gious example was the crowning glory of 
the man. He was the real pioneer of 
Methodism in the town ; for many years 
leader in all their social meetings, and 
around him grew up a thriving class. In 
this earlier history of the community it 
might well have been christened the home 
of the good. Class-leader and chorister, 
he guided them encouragingly on, and yet 
his manner was never exciting, hardly, 
even, could it be said to be fervid or warm ; 
but solid goodness, tenderness, and genu- 
ine interest in all that pertained to the 
soul's welfare, were manifest. The waver- 
ing came to him, for he never faltered ; the 
weak, because he was a pillar of strength. 
He was a man bf no doubts in his religious 
belief, and a man living not by emotion, 
but principle, and his home was one of 
hospitality ; particularly was the preacher 
his guest. 

In 18 1 6, collector, often juror and select- 
man, many years lister, nearly always high- 
way-surveyor, district clerk or committee 
man. In all his more active life, however, 
he was nearly alone in his politics, he 
being a thorough whig, while the town 
was intensely democratic. For which rea- 
son probably he was never sent to the 
Legislature of the State, as this seems to 
be the only office of importance which he 
at some time has not held. 

At the age of 24, he married Sophronia 
Ryder. They had 12 children, but one of 
whom died in infancy ; the rest were all 
living in 1863. One daughter died in 
July, 1866; the rest are all living, 1881. 
And in the fullness of affection and ten- 
derness all will say he was a good father. 
Daily he gathered them around his fam- 
ily altar, while they lived with him, and 
sought for them the reconciliation of 
God. He walked before them soberly, 
patiently, peaceably. His soul seemed 
like an unruffled river, gliding ever tran- 
quil and even in its banks almost alike 
in sunshine and in storm. He had no 
enemies; but was Grandfather, and "Un- 
cle Elisha," to all the neighborhood. Even 



FAYSTON. 



187 



the old and young far out of his own im- 
mediate neighborhood, called him by the 
sobriquet of Uncle Elisha, and seemed to 
mourn for him as for a good old uncle. 
His family physician remarked of him after 
his decease, that he was " the one man of 
whom he could say, he did not know that 
he had an enemy in the world. He was a 
peacemaker." 

ONLY A LITTLE WHILE. 

BY MRS. LAURA BRIGHAM BOYCE. 

Only a little while 
Lingers the springtime with its sun and dew 

And song of birds, and gently falling rain. 
And springing flowers, on hillside and on plain, 

Clothing the earth in garments fresh and new. 

Only a little while 
The summer tarries with its sultry heat; 

Showering its smiles upon the fruitful land, 
Ripening the harvest for the reaper's hand. 

Ere autumn shall the fruitful work complete. 

Only a little while 
The autumn paints with gorgeousness the leaves. 

Ere wintry winds shall pluck them from the bough 
To drape the earth's dark, corrugated brow, — 

Then hasten, loiterer, gatlier in thy sheaves. 

Only a little while 
The winter winds shall moan and wildly rave. 

While the fierce storm-king walks abroad in might. 
Clothing the earth in garments pure and white. 

Ere the grim monarch, too. sliall find a grave. 

Only a little while. 
Life's spring-time lingers, and our youthful feet 

Through flowery paths of innocence are led. 
And joyous visions fill our careless head ; 

Too bright, alas ! as beautiful as fleet. 

Only a little while 
Life's summer waits with storm and genial sun. 

With days of toil and nights of calm repose; 
AVe find without its tliorn we pluck no rose. 

And spring-time visions vanish one by one. 

Only a little while 
Ere autumn comes and life is on the wane ! 

Happy for us If well our work be done. 
For if we loitered in the summer's sun. 

How shall we labor in the autumn rain? 

Only a little while. 
And winter comes apace ; the hoary head. 

And palsied limbs, tell of the labors past. 
And victories won— all ! soon shall be the last,— 

And they shall whisper softly " he is dead." 

W. W. PORTER 

was born in Fayston, July 24, 1826. He 
was the 4th son of Elliot Porter and Sidney 
Ward, the former a native of Hartford, the 
latter a native of Poultney, Vt., and a 
daughter of Judge William Ward, judge in 
Rutland Co. 22 years. 

Wilfred spent his time until he was 17 
on the farm, and attending school winters ; 



at which time he commenced studying falls 
and springs, and teaching winters, attend- 
ing the academies at Montpelier and Ba- 
kersfield, and working on the farm during 
the summer months until he was 22 years 
of age. 

As early as fifteen he had set his mind 
upon the medical profession for life, and 
bent all his energies in that direction. 
Having studied medicine some time pre- 
viously, he, at 22, entered the office of Dr. 
G. N. Brigham, and began the study of 
medicine, which he continued summers, 
teaching school falls and winters for i^ 
year, when he entered the medical college 
at Woodstock, where he remained one 
term, and afterwards at Castleton, Vt., for 
two terms, graduating from that college in 
the fall of '51, when he came to Syracuse, 
and entered the office of Dr. Hiram Hoyt 
for a short time ; May, 1852, entered the 
school at Geddes as principal teacher for 
one year, and May 16, 1853, opened an 
office in that place to practice his profession, 
which he has continued until the present. 

At the close of his first year, the res- 
ident doctor of Geddes died, leaving him 
in full possession of the field. Dr. Porter 
rose rapidly, and by integrity of purpose 
and dealing, grew into a very large and lu- 
crative practice, which he carried on for 15 
years, as it were, alone, after which he 
had partners in the practice of medicine. 

His practice gradually extended to the 
city of Syracuse, when, in 1S75, the de- 
mand upon him for medical treatment from 
that city became so great that he opened 
an office there, which he alternately at- 
tends upon, with his home office in Geddes. 
He has been for 25 years a member of the 
Onondaga County Medical Society, and for 
one term its president, and a permanent 
member of the New York State Medical 
Society ; also a member of the American 
Medical Association, and upon organiza- 
tion of the College of Medicine of Syracuse 
University, in 1872, he was appointed clin- 
ical professor of obstetrics and gyniEcology 
the first year, and at the end of the year, 
professor in full, which position he still re- 
tains. 

His skill in the treatment of diseases has 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



won for him a position in the esteem of the 
people to be envied Ijy young practitioners, 
and his indomitable perseverance and en- 
durance of body have enabled him to grat- 
ify, in a great measure, the laudable am- 
bition of his earlier years — to be among 
the first in his profession. He was one of 
the first movers in the organization and 
establishment of a university at Syracuse, 
and since its beginning has been a trustee 
and closely identified with all its interests, 
and has been largely identified with the pub- 
lic schools of his town since his first resi- 
dence there, being supt. of the schools 
of the town for some 2 years, and trustee 
of the village school for some 25 years ; 
also being president of the board of educa- 
tion. 

He and his wife are warmly attached to 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and are 
not only liberal supporters of the same, 
but of any enterprise they regard as look- 
ing to the building up of good society. 

In the year 1853, Nov. 13, he married 
Miss Jane, daughter of Simeon Draper and 
Clarissa Stone, of Geddes ; children, Clara 
A., George D. (deceased), Wilfred W. 
Jr., Jane and Louie. 

LONGEVITY RECORD IN 1 88 1. 

Ruth Chase died in 1865, aged 84 ; Tim- 
othy Chase in 1875,93; Benj. Corliss, in 
1865, nearly 91 ; Henry Morgan, 1868, 84. 
The wife of Henry Morgan (inNorthfield), 
over 80 years. Her home was in Fayston. 
James Baird died in 1870, aged 81 ; Geo. 
Somerville, 1870, 80; Margarett Strong, 
1870, 98 ; Elizabeth Lamson, in 1872. Her 
friends differed as to her age ; some claim- 
ed she was 104; others that she was but 
102. Her husband, Jonathan Lamson, 
died some 20 years since, aged between 80 
and 90; Jane McAughindied in 1872, aged 
82 ; Capt. Elliot Porter, 1874, nearly 90 ; 
Sidney Porter, his wife, 1875, 86; Joseph 
and Susan Marble, over 80; Zeviah Boyce, 
1856, aged about 90; Mehitable Tyler, 
1855, between 80 and 90. Elizabeth Bar- 
rett died in Waitsfield in 1873, aged 93. 
She was for many years a resident of Fays- 
ton, but moved to W. a short time before 
her death. 



TOWN OFFICERS 187I-1881. 

Town Clerks, WillardB. Porter, 1 871 to 
'8o;D. S. Stoddard, 1880; S. J. Dana, 
1 88 1. Representatives, 1871, none; S. J. 
Dana, 1872 ;M. S. Strong, 1874; D. S. 
Stoddard, 1876; Seth Boyce, 1878; Na- 
than Boyce, 1880. Treasurers, D. S. 
Stoddard, 1871, '72; A. D. Bragg, 1875, 
'79; Seth Boyce, 1880, '81. First Select- 
men, C. D. Billings, 1871; Dan Boyce, 
1872 ; C. S. Dana, 1874 ; Seth Boyce, 1875 ; 
J. Patterson, 1876; M. S. Strong, 1879; 
John Maxwell, 1878, '79; J. P. Boyce, 
1880, '81. Constables, Cornelius McMul- 
len, 1871, 72; H. G. Campbell, 1873, '74: 
C. M. Fisher, 1875, '76, '79; S. J. Dana, 
1877, '78; Allen S. Howe, 1880; M. S. 
Strong, 1881. Grand Jury, G. O. Boyce, 
1871,72, '73, '75; W. B.Porter, 1874, '76; 
C. S. Dana, 1877, '78; Seth Boyce, 1879, 
'80 ; R. Maxwell and Wm. Chipman, 1881. 
School Supt., Grey H. Porter, 1871, '72, 
'73; Rev. J. F. Buzzel, 1874 to 1881. 
Trustees of the Town, Seth Boyce, 1873, 
^9 ; Geo. Boyce, 1877, '78, '80, '81. Jus- 
tices of the Peace, Willard B. Porter, 1872, 
'74, '76, '78; G. O. Boyce, 1872, '74; D. 
S. Stoddard, 1872, '76, '78, '80; Z. W. 
Boyce, 1872, '74; H. H. Morgan, 1872; 
C. D. Billings, 1874; E. Ainsworth, 1874; 
S. J. Dana, 1876, '78, '80; O. S. Bruce, 
J. Z. Marble, 1878 ; Nathan Boyce, Stephen 
Johnson, Dan Boyce, 1880. 

GERSHOM NELSON BRIGHAM, M. D., 

for 20 years a practicing physician at Mont- 
pelier, was born in Fayston, Mar. 3, 1820, 
was son of Elisha Brigham, who made his 
pitch in F. with the first settlers. His 
mother, Sophronia Ryder, whose mother 
was Lucy Chase, a relative of the Hon. 
Dudley Chase [See Randolph History, 
vol. II], was a woman of vigorous consti- 
tution and an active, original mind. Sev- 
eral ancestors in the Brigham line have 
been physicians, one of whom was Gershom 
Brigham, of Marlboro, Mass., the old an- 
cestral town of the Brighams of this coun- 
try, the stock tracing back to the parish of 
Brigham in Northumberland Co., Eng- 
land. Dr. G. N. Brigham received his 
education in our common schools, with a 



FAYSTON. 



1 89 



year in Wash. Co. Gram. Sch. and a half 
year at Poultney Academy, and studied 
medicine with Dr. David C. Joslyn, of 
Waitsfield, Dr. S. W. Thayer, now of Bur- 
lington, Prof. Benj. R. Palmer, now of 
Woodstock, graduating at Woodstock 
Medical College in 1845, attending three 
courses, of lectures. He has practiced 3 
years at Warren, then 3 years at Waits- 
field : removed to Montpelier, 1849 ; at- 
tended lectures at the college of Physicians 
and Surgeons, N. Y., spending much time 
in the hospitals of the city, about which 
time he became a convert to homoeopathy, 
and was the second person in middle Ver- 
mont to espouse the cause at this time so 
unpopular, and one of six who founded the 
State Homoeopathic Society. He has ed- 
ucated quite a number of students in his 
office, among whom, his own son. Dr. 
Homer C. Brigham, of Montpelier, and 
Prof. Wilfred W. Porter, of the Medical 
Department in the Syracuse University. 
While at Montpelier he served a while as 
postmaster ; was town superintendent of 
common schools ; lectured on education, 
temperance and sundry scientific subjects, 
and has been a contributor to medical 
journals, and knovvfu to the secular press in 
essays and poetical contributions for over 
25 years. He delivered the class poem be- 
fore the Norwich University in 1870; pub- 
lished in that year a 12 mo. vol., pp. 180, 
" The Harvest Moon and other Poems "at 
the Riverside Press, which with additions 
came out in a second edition. 

The Doctor has since issued a "Work 
on Catarrhal Diseases," 126 pp., and re- 
ports a work on "Pulmonary Consump- 
tion," nearly ready for press ; that he has 
written this year, 1881, a play in tragedy, 
"Benedict Arnold," that he expects to 
publish. He is regular contributor to three 
medical journals, and has written for as 
many as thirty of the leading newspapers. 
East and West. He married, ist, Laura 
Elvira Tyler, dau. of Merrill Tyler, Esq., 
of Fayston ; children, Homer C, Willard 
Irving, Julia Lena, Ida Lenore. His first 
wife died Mar. 12, 1873. He married, 2d, 
Miss Agnes Ruth Walker, dau. of Ephraim 
Walker, Esq., of Springfield. They have 



one child. Dr. Brigham has resided since 
1878, at Grand Rapids, Mich. His son. 
Dr. Homer C, is in practice at Montpel- 
ier. In his poetical writings — not a few — 
the Doctor has always inclined to the pat- 
riotic. 

Aug. i6th, looth anniversary of Benning- 
ton battle. At the meeting of the Ver- 
monter's Society in Michigan, at Grand 
Rapids, Hon. W. A. Howard delivered 
the oration, and Dr. G. N. Brigham, the 
poem. We give an extract. In our crowd- 
ed pages we have scarce room for poetic 
extracts, even, and this appears to be the 
musical town of the County. Such a flock 
of native poets, all expecting by right of 
manor, to sing in the history of their birth 
town, with the one who has written the 
most in this prolific field, we must begin 
to be brief. Haply, he has published too 
widely to be in need of our illustration : 

FROM "THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON." 

When Freedom's cause in doublfut scale 
Hung trembling o'er Columbia's land, 
And men with sinking hearts turned pale 
That ' gainst the foe there stood no brand, 

Vermont, thy banner rose. 
Green waved thy lofty mountain pine. 
Which thou didst make thy battle sign, 
Then from the mountain fastness thou 
Didst sally with a knitted brow, 

And tyrants felt thy blows. 

The bugle blew no frightful blast 

Where fh' sulphrous smoke its mantle cast. 

For olt thy sons in forest field 

The heavy broadsword learned to wield 

In their old border frays. 
Bred to reclaim the native soil 
With sinewed limb and patient toil, 
The forest path to stoutly fend. 
Where foes did lurk, or wild beasts wend. 

No danger did amaze. 

Free as the mountain air they breathe. 
The vassal's place they dare disown; 
The blade from scabbard to unsheath 
And see the slaughters harvest sown. 

Ere wrong shall rule the day. 
So when the midnight cry, "To arms! " 
Did reach them at their northern farms. 
They snatched the musket and the powder-horn, 
And shook their brand with patriots' scorn. 

And gathered to the fray. 

Vermont, thy soul's young life was there. 
There from thy rocks up leapt the fire 
Tliat made thy hills the altar-stair 
To holy freedom's star-crowned spire. 

While all the world did doubt. 
In native hearts and native blades 
The freeman's hope forever lives; 
The soul that first in sorrow wades. 
The most to human nature gives 

In sorest limes of drought. 



I go 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The Iiosts of Albion sleep secure, 
The niountaiu path to them is sure. 
And In their dreams they wait the day 
To feast and drive the mob away. 

And forage on the town. 
That dream to England sealed her doom; 
They roused to hear the cannon boom. 
And see the mountaineers they scorned 
In serried line of battle formed. 

And ou them coming down. 

And who here making pilgrimage, 
When told how, with their niusl<ets clubbed, 
Our sires from breastworks drove the foe. 
How here were English veterans drubbed 

By plowmen gloved in steel. 
Shall say, the race keeps not to-day 
The Spartan fire— 

Shall say, if with this trenchant warp 
There runs not through a thread of gold; 
Or if the Attic salt still Hows 
Through pulsing veins of later mold. 
And pledges colored wine. 

From hence the field of IJenningtou 
With Concord and with Lexington, 
Upon the patriot's scroll shall blaze, 
And virtue's hearts proclaim her praise, 

Till chivalry's page shall end- 
Shall tell how Mars did glut his rage. 
How screamed the eagle round her nest. 
When death or freedom was the gage. 
While war unloosed htr battle vest, 

And carnage rode a fiend. 

And where the nations strive and hope, 
And in the breaking darkness grope. 
Here may expiring faith sUU burn. 
And see the patriot's emblem turn 
Above this crimson sea. 

From another poem on the same sub- 
ject : 

How grand thy towering cliflTs, where twines 
The hemlock's green to wreath thy crown ; 

How bright thy peaks when day declines. 
As there thy glory settles down. 

When stirred the border feud, how rang 
The note of war; 

And where the wolf ran down her prey 
By grange girt in with woodland dun. 

The ranger hurried to the fray, 
Tliere flashed the border-guardsman's gun. 

And when a mightier catise called for 
Thy sons to draw the sword 

T)ie bugle gave the hills Its blast. 

And men in buckskin breeches came. 
Their waists slung with the powdor-horu. 

Their hearts witli freedom's spark aflame, 
And battled till the STATE was born. 

thy border cry 

Rang to the Northern cllfls for help. 

When Allen mustered for old Tl., 
And drove from there the lion's whelp. 

From there to Hoosick's bloody flume 
.\Tarched forth our sires with hearts aflame. 

And snatched the British lion's plume. 
And wrote for us a storied name. 



From a remembrance to Vermont : 

O, bring the spring that plumes the glen. 
And hearty be the greeting; 

We'll think in kindness of the men 

Whose hearts to ours gave beating; 

Nor shall their armor rust 

Taken by us in trust. 



Bathed in the noon of peace, green, green 

Forever, be those hills; 
Green where the hoar-frost builds her screen, 

And winter's goblet fills. 
The frost and cedar green! 

Queen Virgin of the Ancient North, 

Throned spirit of the crags, 
Who called the sturdy Aliens forth 

To weave thy battle-flags. 
We take the sprig of pine. 
Proud of our lineal line. 
Vermont! Vermont! Our childhood's home. 

Still home where'er we roam. 

MISS SUSAN GRIGGS. 

BY ANNA B. BUAGG, 

Many efficient teachers of our district 
schools have been reared and educated in 
this town, though the greater part have 
followed teaching but a few terms before 
commencing " life work," but Miss Griggs 
has made teaching the business of her life, 
and in years of service, number of pupils, 
and different branches thoroughly learned 
and imparted to others, has no equal here, 
and perhaps but few in our whole country. 
She was born in this town, Feb. 1814. 
From her earliest schooldays, her book 
was her favorite companion, often upon 
her wheel-bench, that sentence after sen- 
tence of some coveted lesson might be 
committed to memory, while her hands 
spun thread after thread of wool or flax, 
working willingly for herself and her 
brothers and sisters, as was the custom in 
those days. 

When 12 years of age, her father, an 
earnest Christian man, died, leaving his 
wife and little ones to struggle along the 
path of life alone in God's care. But as in 
his life he had often said, " Susan is our 
student," so in all her young days after 
she seemed to hear his voice encouraging 
her to give her time, talents and life to the 
work of Christian education. She began 
teaching in the Sabbath-schogl at 13, and 
at 16 in a district-school, where for many 
years her time was spent, and in attending 
school, as she completed the course of 



FAYSTON. 



191 



study at Newbury Seminary. In 1850, 
she was one of the teachers sent out to 
the South and West by Gov. Slade. She 
taught one year at Wihnington, N. C, 
and then went toWolcottville, Ind., under 
the direction of Gov. Slade, a small village 
in a new town, first teaching in the family 
of George Wolcott, with the addition of a 
few neighbors' children ; then in a small 
school-house. The school so increased, 
Mr. Wolcott, the founder of the village, 
built a convenient seminary at his own ex- 
pense, furnished with musical instruments, 
library, apparatus, etc. Here she taught 
for 17 years, principal of the school, hav- 
ing sometimes one or two assistant teach- 
ers, and often a hundred pupils. Beside 
the common and higher English branches, 
there were often classes in German, Latin, 
French and painting, and always in music, 
vocal and instrumental, and always a lit- 
erary society, and always a Sabbath-school, 
in which she taught a class, and was some- 
times superintendent. She says "these 
years were full of toil, but bright with hope 
that minds were there awakened to the 
beauties of the inviting realms of purity 
and truth." 

After a short rest with a brother in Mis- 
souri and another in Wisconsin, she re- 
sumed teaching in Fort Wayne College, 
Ind. ; afterward in Iowa about 2 years, and 
is now in Kendallville, Ind., one of a corps 
of 12 teachers; 00 pupils under her charge. 
" Many will rise up and call her blessed." 

Mrs. Celia (Baxter) Brigham, of Evart, 
Michigan, contributes the following for the 
Baxter family : 

EBER H. BAXTER AND FAMILY 

came to Fayston in April, 183 1, and lived 
there 20 years. They had 14 children ; 
one died in infancy. They removed to 
Michigan with 10 children — two remained 
in Fayston — in 185 1 . Albert Baxter, eldest 
.son, had then lived in Mich, about 6 years. 
He has been for the last 20 years connected 
with the Grand Rapids Eagle \ is now ed- 
itor of Gratid Rapids Daily Eagle. Albert, 
Celia — Mrs. C. B. Brigham ; Rosina — Mrs. 
R. B. Cadwell, now in California ; Edwin, 
lawyer in Grand Haven, Mich.; Uri J., 
lawyer in Washington, D. C. ; Sabrina — 



Mrs. S. B. Cooper, Evart, Mich. ; and Vi- 
enna I. — Mrs. V. I. B. Corman, Lowell, 
Mich., of the Baxter family, are more or 
less known as occasional authors in prose 
and poetry. Twelve children, the father 
now in his 80th year (1879) still survive. 
Ira C, sixth son, left his body on the field 
of Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863. E. H. 
Baxter was town clerk and justice of peace 
in Fayston for several years. 

MRS. CELIA B. BRIGHAM 

has written many years for press, and for 
many newspapers and journals short poems. 
She has sent us for her representation in 
the dear old birthtown, a rather pretty col- 
lection, for which we can make room only 
for the following : 

TO MY SLEEPING BABE. 

Gently, little cherub, gently 
Droop those weary eyelids now ; 

Slumber's hand is pressing lightly, 
Softly on thy cloudless brow. 

Meekly, little sleeper, meekly 
Folded on tby guileless breast 

Dimpled hands of pearly whiteness- 
Lovely is thy " rosy rest." 

Calmly, little dreamer, calmly 
Beats that tiny heart of thine — 

As the pulses of the leallet. 
Rocked to rest at eventime. 

Softly, little darling, softly 
Dies away thy mother's soug; 

And the angels come to guard thee, 
Tl)rough theniglit hours, lone and long. 

Sweetly, blessed infant, sweetly 
Fall their whispers on thine ear; 

Smiles are on thy lips of coral- 
Snowy pinions hover near. 

TO AN UNSEEN MINSTREL. 

The lark may sing to the chickadee. 

From his lofty azure throne. 
Nor feel the thrill in the maple tree. 

Where his listener sits alone; 
Even thus, thy spirit sings to me — 
nearest tliou the answering tone? 
From their sunward fliglit, can thy tireless wings 
Ever fold where the forest warbler sings? 
Thou callest the voices of long ago 

From level-trodden graves. 
As the wind may call an echoing note 

From out the dark sea caves — 
As the burning stars of lieaven may call 
To the restless, heaving waves— 
That, ever-changing beneath their gaze. 
Can answer only in broken rays! 

THE NEGLECTED BIBLE. 

Precious, but neglected Bible! 

Let me ope thy lids once more, 
And, with reverential feelings. 

Turn the sacred pages o'er. 



192 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Source of joy and consolation. 

Vainly does tliy fount supply 
Me with life's pure crystal waters— 

Lo! I langnislt, faint and die! 

Not because is sealed the fountain 

That could soothe the keenest woe; 
Not because the stream unfailing 

Hath one moment ceased to flow; 
But because my thirsty spirit. 

Seeking bitter draught, passed by, 
Heedlessly, the living waters — 

Lol I languish, faint and die! 

Descriptive of how many a Vennonter 
felt in 185 1, is a little "sonnet" below, by 
Elisha Aldis Brigham, sent me by Mrs. 
Brigham, that her husband may, as well as 
herself, have a little niche in the history of 
their native town : 

SONNET. 

• O, tell me not of Liberty's bright land ! 

Where man by brother man is bouglit and sold : 
To t«ll in sweat and tears, for others gold. 
Obedient to a tyrant's stern command; 
Where children part upon the auction stand 
To meet no more, and weeping parents torn 
Asunder— slave-bound captives long to mourn, 
Are scattered far and wide, a broken band. 
Where Justice on proud Freedom's altar sleeps. 
Where mercy's voice is never heard to sigh ; 
Where pity's hand ne'er wipes the tearful eye 
Of Afrie's exiles, who in misery weep— 
The millions tliree who wear oppression's brand; 
Oh I call it not sweet Freedom's happy land! 

Fayston, Feb. 1851. 

A whole budget from natives in the 
West : We will not give any one's long 
piece entire ; but not having the heart to 
leave any son or daughter who knocks at 
the old Green Mountain door, out entirely, 
even if they are unfortunately a "poet," 
we shall give some one short extract, or 
sonnet for all who have sent home their 
pieces for Fayston, and let the dry old, 
only statisticians, growl as they may. Here 
comes the Fayston men and women of the 
pen for a page or two : First, a long poem, 
almost a news-column, fine print, " written 
in my chamber at Washington, on the an- 
niversary eve of the assassination of Presi- 
dent Lincoln." We will have six or seven 
verses from 

THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSASSINATION. 

BY U. J. BAXTElt. 

Wliy sound the bells 
So mournfully upon the air of night? 
Why volley forth tlie guns upon the night, 

With sudden peal that tells 
Of darkling horror and of dire affriglit ? 



The morn shall ope 
With a dread tale that tells of dark eclipse— 
Of a dark deed that throws its black eclipse 

On all a nation's hope. 
And smites the joy that filled a nation's lips ? 

Stricken and low ! 
Aye, let us weep— weep for the guilt and crime- 
The ingrate sense— tlie coward guilt and crime! 

Dissolve in tears and woe 
The darkling horror of this monstrous time ! 

Ills name breathe not. 
His tlirice-accursed name, whose brutal hand— 
Wliose foul, polluted heart and brutal hand 

A demon's purpose wrought, 
And whelmed in grief our glad, rejoicing land. 



A nation's heart bowed with him in the dust 

We turn our hope in vain 
To seek a chieftain worthy of his trust. 

No marvel here ! 
Two kingliest come not haply horn and twinned— 
Each age its one great soul, nor matclied, nor twinned. 

Owning no mortal peer — 
So is his glory in our age unkinncd. 

His mantle fell- 
On whom is not yet shown— yet sure its folds 
Are buried not— its ricli and loving folds 

Shall lay some blessed spell 
On him who most his noble spirit holds. 

Great chieftain! rest! 
Our hearts shall go as pilgrims to thy tomb; 
Our spirits mourn and bless thy martyr tomb; 

We deem thy lot is blest; 
Our love shall rob our sorrow of its gloom. 

All coming time 
Shall ne'er despoil thy glory of Its crown- 
Each year shall set Its jewels in thy crown- 
Each day bell's passing cliinie 
Shall add a tongue to speak thy just renown. 

LITTLE BEN. 
BY SARAH BUIGHAM MANSFIELD. 

In a lonely spot in a dismal street 
Little Ben sat chafing his bare, cold feet, 
And so hungry, too, for nothing to eat. 

All the long day had poor Ben. 
His mother, alas, had long been dead— 
So long, he could just remember, her and 
The sweet pale face as she knelt by his bed 

And prayed God to bless little Ben. 

The twilight deepened, how dark it grew, 

And how heavily fell the chill night dew. 

And the moaning winds pierced through and Ihrough 

The form of poor little Ben. 
" Oh I why am I left here alone," he cried, 
" Dear mamma told me before she died 
She was going to Heaven; Oh, mamma," he sighed, 

" Why don't you come for poor Ben?" 

" Can you be happy, tho' in Heaven a saint. 

While I am so cold, so weary, so faint? 

Dear mother, dost hear your poor darling's plaint? 

Oh, come tor your own little Ben! " 
The morning came with its rosy light, 
And kissed the wan cheeks and lids so white. 
Tliey were closed for aye! in the lone night 

An angel had come for poor Ben. 



FAYSTON. 



193 



THE FIRST FLOWER OF SPRING. 
BY ziBA w. BOYCE, (deceased.) 
The first April violet beside tlie bare tree, 
Looking gayly up seemed to be saying to me, 
" I come with yon robin, sweet spring to recall, 
Tliere caroling above me the glad news to all- 
How pleased all your feelings— your eyt and your car ; 
With gay exultation you welcome us here; 
But iu the soon future, surrounded by flowers. 
And Summer bird's plumage, far gayer tlian ours, 
Forgotten the perils we willingly bore- 
First messengers telling of winter no more." 
I thought of the bird, and the flower, and then 
Confessed it is thus with all pioneer men. 
Let them labor and suffer new truths to disclose. 
Their wants or their woes there's nobody knows. 
Tlie world owns the work when the labor is done— 
They, the bird and the flower, forgotten and gone. 

THE RAIN. 

BY MKS. D. T. SMITH. 

When from winter's icy spell 
Burst the brooklets in the dell. 

With a song; 
When the early robins call 
From tlie sunny garden wall, 

All day long; 
When the crocus shows its face, 
And the fern its dainty grace. 

And the daffodil; 
And the dandelion briglit 
Decks the field with golden liglit 

On the hill; 
When the Spring has waked a world again. 
And the apple-blossoms whiten, 
And the grasses gleam and brighten, 
Tlien we listen to tlic rythmic patter of the rain. 

Wlien tlie lilies, snowy white. 
Gleam upon the lakelet bright, 

'Mid their leaves ; 
And the twittering swallows fly. 
Building nests for by and by, 

'Neath the eaves; 
Roses blush i' the dewy morn. 
Bees their honey-quest have gone 

All the day; 
And the daisies, starry, bright, 
Glisten in the firefly's light 

As they may; 
When Summer decks the mountain and the plain. 
When she binds lier golden sheares, 
Then she tilts her glossy leaves 
In the splashing andthe dashing of the rain. 

When the maple forests redden, 

And the sweet ferns brown and deaden 

On the lea, 
Straightly furrowed lie the acres. 
And we hear the roar of breakers 

Out at sea; 
When the birds their columns muster, 
And the golden pipins cluster 

On tlie bough, 
And the autumu breeze is sighing. 
Springtime past and Summer dying. 

Here and now ; 
And autumn winds are filled with sounds of pain 
When the katydids are calling; 
Tl;en the crimson leaves are falllnfc 
Througli the weeping and tlie moaning of tli' rain. 
Dubuque, Iowa. 



THE MOSS-COVERED TROUGH. 

BY S. MINERVA BOYCE. 

Tliat'moss-covorod trougli, decaying there yonder, 

I remember it well when but a child ; 
Thougli years have flown by, I still love to wander 

Along the old road by the woodland wild.- 

Ah! yes, la'emember when full and o'erflowing. 
With the clear, sparkling nectar, so cool; 

Tlie old farmer came witli his bucket from mowing, 
And we drank from his cup, tlien trudged on to 
school. 

And then 'neatli tlie low-spreading maple close by It, 

Were gathered the wlldlings of May ; 
There blossomed the hat of a lad who drew nigh it. 

And blue-bird and robin sang sweeter that day. 

Though now thrown aside, to give room for another. 
All neglected, and moss-grown, and old, 

I still find a charm to be found in none other. 
Were it carved e'er so lovely, or plated with gold. 

Long ago the old farmer finished his mowing. 
Filled his last bucket, " reaped liis last grain;" 

Then went just beyond where seed-time and sowing 
Will never recall him to labor again. 

And here we give, if we may nip 5t 
will, the buds, for which we only have 
room, a pretty extract from Sabrina Bax- 
ter, born in Fays ton : 

BUDS AND BLOSSOMS. 
We walked within my garden 
On a dewy, balmy morn— 



We paused beside a rose-bush. 

The swelling buds to note- 
To drink the gusliing fragrance 
Which round us seemed to float; 

One bud we'd viewed but yesternight, 

Wlien very fair it grew— 
We'd waited for the morrow's light 

To see it washed in dew, 
A worm had found the curling leaf, 

Had marred tlie bursting budlet. 
Had withered stem and flower. 

Alas! for eartlily happiness. 

In bitterness I cried, 
Naught beautiful, naught lovely. 

May on this earth abide! 
A blight is on the floweret, 

A blight is on the grove, 
A doubly blighting power upon 

Those objects that we love! 

" Mortal ! " the voice seemed near, 
And musical tlie tone. 

Are there no buds, whose brightness 
Outshines the garden rose ? 

What worm had nipped the blossom? 
Who answereth for those ? 

" Within the human garden 
How many a floweret lies. 
Despoiled by reckless gardener— 

And in the whispered lays we heard. 
And from the flowers there smiled, 
A plea for human rose-buds— 



25 



194 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Taking a skipping extract from Emogene 
M. Boyce: 

I paused once more, gave a few lingering looks 
At tlie <iear olden place, the remembered nooks: 
The orchard, the garden, the dark, silent mill. 
The little red cot at the foot of the hill. 
Where the little trout brook, still murmured along; 
The old lofty pines sang the same mournful song, 
When with father and mother, we children four. 
Had gathered at eve 'round the old cottage door. 

SOLDIERS OF FAYSTON. 

BY DOHRIC S. STODUAKD. 

The notes of war that rang through the 
land in the winter and spring of 6i were 
not without their effect upon the town of 
Fayston. Her hardy sons willingly re- 
sponded to their country's call. The fol- 
lowing is the record of services rendered 
and lives given, who served for their own 
town in the order of enlistment : 

Thomas Maxwell, the first resident o 
Fayston to respond to the call for volun- 
teers. He enlisted May 7, 1861, at the 
age of 20 years, in Co. F. 2d Vt. Reg. ; was 
discharged, by reason of sickness, Feb 21, 
1863; re-enlisted Mar. 20, '64, in Co. F. 
17th Vt. Reg.; severely wounded in the 
Wilderness May 6, ''64. The ball entered 
the neck, passed through the roots of the 
tongue, and lodged in the base of the 
head, where it still remains ; discharged 
June 17, '65. 

Mark and Luther Chase, brothers, 
enlisted Aug. 14, '61, in Co. H. 6th Vt. ; 
aged 26 and 18 years. Mark was dis- 
charged May 29, ''62 ; reenlisted Nov. 27, 
'63 ; taken prisoner, and died at Ander- 
sonville, Ga., July 3, '64. Luther died in 
hospital Jan. 31, '62. 

Geo. Somerville, age 23, enlisted in 
Co. G. 6th Vt., Aug. 29, '61 ; discharged 
June 23, '62. 

John H. Hunter, age 41 ; enlisted 
Sept. 2, '61, Co. H. 6th Vt. ; chosen cor- 
poral ; discharged ; reenlisted Dec. 15, '63 ; 
lost an arm in the service; finally dis- 
charged Mar. 10, '65. 

Geo. L. Marble, age 30, enlisted in 
Co. G. 6th Vt., Sept. 10, '61 ; reenlisted 
Feb. 8. ''64; taken prisoner Oct. 19, '64; 
supposed to have died in Libby Prison. 

Wm. M. Strong, age 19, enlisted in Co. 
G. 6th Vt., Sept. 23, '61 ; served 3 years; 
mustered out Oct 28, '64. 



Allen E. Mehuren, enlisted in Co. G. 
6th Vt., Sept. 27, '61, age 23; discharged 
by reason of sickness, Feb. 4, '63. 

Cornelius McMullen, age 29, enlisted 
in Co. B. 6th Vt., Oct. 3, '61, re-enlistcd 
Dec. 15, '63, transferred to Co. H. Oct. 
16, '64, served till the close of the war, 
mustered out June 26, '65. 

Henry C. Backus, age 24, enlisted in 
Co. G. 6th Reg't., Oct. 7, '61, promoted 
sergeant, mustered out Oct. 28, '64. 

Warren C. Porter, age yj, enlisted 
Oct. 15, '61, in Co. G. 6th Vt., served 3 
years, mustered out Oct. 28, '64. 

Chester S. Dana, age 33, enlisted in 
Co. B. loth Vt., July r8, '62, chosen sth 
sergeant, promoted to ist ser'gt., sick in 
general hospital much of the latter part of 
his service, discharged May 22, '65. 

LaFayette Moore, enlisted in Co. F. 
2d Vt. as a recruit, July 30, '62, age 26, 
died in the service Feb. 29, '64. 

Hem an A. Moore, age 21, enlisted 
in Co. F. 2d Vt., Aug. 2, '62, mu.stered 
out June 19, '65. 

Eli Gibson, recruit in Co. G. 6th Vt.. 
enlisted Aug. 13, '62, age 22, died in the 
service April 7, '64. 

Lewis Bettis, a resident of Warren, 
enlisted for this town in Co. G. 6th Vt., 
Aug. 13, '62, age 37 ; transferred to the 
Invalid Corps, Jan. 15, ''64. 

John Chase, age 23, enlisted in Co. G. 
6th Vt., Aug. 13, '62; mustered out June 
19, '65. 

Nathan Thayer, age 23 ; enlisted in 
Co. H. 6th Vt., Aug. 13, '62; discharged 
June 3, '63. 

Nelson J. Boyce, age 32 ; enlisted in 
Co. G. 6th Vt., Aug. 16, '62; transferred 
to the Invalid Corps July i, '63. 

Lester H. LIarris, age 25 ; enlisted 
Aug. 18, '62, in Co. F. 2d Vt. ; died May 
18, '63. 

The following 17 soldiers all members 
of Co. B. 13th Vt., (9 months), enlisted 
Aug. 25, '62; mustered in Oct. 10, '62, at 
Brattleboro ; mustered out at the same 
place July 21, '63; the battle of Gettys- 
burg being the only one in which they 
participated : 

George O. Boyce, 2d serg't., age 28; 



FAYSTON. 



195 



with others of his company taken prisoner 
by rebel guerrillas while going from Camp 
Carusi to Fairfax station with supply teams, 
May 14, '63. They were paroled the next 
day, and returned to the regiment. 

Dorric S. Stoddard, 3d corporal, age 28 ; 
William E. Backus, age 22, detailed scout ; 
John Baird, age 20, died of fever soon 
after returning home ; Matthew Blair, age 
27, afterwards re-enlisted in 56 Mass., 
killed in the Wilderness ; Charles D. Bil- 
lings, age ig, died at Camp Carusi May ig, 
''62, ; Chauncey Carpenter, age 3g, re- 
enlisted Dec. 31, '63, in Co. C. 17th Vt., 
discharged May 13, '65 ; Samuel J. Dana, 
age 2g, wounded at Gettysburg ; Royal S. 
Haskins, age 21 ; Charles C. Ingalls, age 
18, re-enlisted Sept. i, '64, in Co. G. 6th 
Vt., mustered out June ig, '65; Stephen 
Johnson, age 21, re-enlisted Aug. 26, ''64, 
in Co. G. 6th Vt., mustered out June ig, 
'65; ZibaH. McAllister, age 21, re-enlist- 
ed in Cavalry Co. C. Nov. 30, '63, trans- 
ferred to Co. A. June ig, '65, mustered 
out June 26, '65 ; Levi Nelson, age 20 ; 
William Nelson, age 26, Daniel Posnett, 
age 47, Winfield S. Rich, age 24, Reuben 
Richardson, age 45, transferred to Co. 
H., re-enlisted Nov. 30, '63, in Co. H. 6th 
Regt., discharged May 12, '65. 

William G. Wilkins, age 18, enlisted in 
Co. F. 2d Vt., June 16, '63, discharged 
Jan. 21, '64. 

Robert Hoftman, age 21, enlisted in the 
3d Battery, Oct. ig, '64, discharged June 
15, '65. 

John W. Palmer, enlisted in Cavalry, 
Co. C. Nov. 28, '63, age 23, transferred 
to Co. A. June 21, '65, mustered out 
Aug. g, '65. 

Judson W. Richardson, age 2g, enlisted 
in Co. H. 6th Vt., promoted corporal 
June ig, ''65, and mustered out June 26, '65. 

Charles O. Dyke, age 18, enlisted Nov. 
30, ''63, in Co. H. 6th Vt. ; mustered out 
June 26, '65. 

Myron Mansfield, age 18, enlisted Dec. 

2, '63, in Co. H. 2d U. S. Sharp-shooters ; 
transferred to Co. H.4th Vt., Feb. 25, '65 ; 
supposed to have died at Andersonville. 

Benj. B. Johnson, age 20, enlisted Dec. 

3, '63, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; transferred to 



Vet. Res. Corps, Dec. 4, '64 ; mustered 
out July 15, '65. 

Wm. H. Johnson, age 18, enlisted Dec. 
3, '63, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; pro. corp. Sept. 
23, '64 ; serg't. June 20, '65 ; mustered 
June 26, '65. 

Charles B. Corliss, age 18, enlisted Dec. 
3, '63, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; discharged June 
28, '65. 

Anson O. Brigham, age 21, enlisted 
Dec. 5, '63, in Co. H. 6th Vt. ; trans, to 
invalid corps, and discharged June 28,^65. 

Calvin B. Marble, age 18, enlisted Dec. 
g, ''63, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; mustered out 
June 26, '65. 

Edwin E. Chaffee, age 18, enlisted Dec. 
g, '63 in Co. H. 6th Vt. ; pro. corp. June 
ig, ''62) ; must, out June 26, '65. 

Asa E. Corliss, age 20, enlisted Sept. 7, 
'64, in Co. G. 6th Vt. ; must, out July ig, 
'65. 

John W. Ingalls, age 28, enlisted Sept. 
16, '64, but did not enter service. 

This town also furnished 14 non-resident 
soldiers, of whom I can give but a meagre 
report, as follows : 

Geo. Arnold, Francis E. Buck, Thomas 
Bradley, ist army corps ; Sidney Dolby, 
54 Ma.ss. • (colored) ; Wm. W. Green, 
Philip Gross, ist A. C. ; Wm. J. Hopkins, 
cav. ; John J. Hern, ist A. C. ; Randall 
Hibbard, ist A. C. ; Frederic Kleinke, ist 

A. C. ; Nelson Parry, Co. B. 7th Vt., 
Nicholas Schmidt, ist A. C. ; John S. 
Templeton; JamesWilliamstown,ist A. C. 

The following persons were furnished 
under draft, five of whom paid commuta- 
tion : Hiram E. Boyce, Eli Bruce, Jr., 
Nehemiah Colby, Charles M. Fisher, 
Julius T. Palmer, and one, Nathan Boyce, 
procured a substitute. 

This town probably furnished from her 
own residents as many, if not more, sol- 
diers for other towns than were credited 
to her from non-residents, the record of 
some of which is given as follows : 

Andrew J. Butler, Co. H. 6th Vt. ; Hi- 
land G. Campbell, 3d Vt. Battery ; Alba 

B. Durkee, Co. I. gth Vt. ; Timothy Don- 
ivan, Co. H. 6th Vt. 

In Co. G. 6th Vt. : Edward Dillon, G. 
W. Fisher, James N. Ingalls, Robert Max- 



196 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



well and Samuel Maxwell. In 3d Vt. : 
Wm. W. McAllister. In Co. G. 6th Vt. : 
James H. Somerville, Ichabod Thomas. 
Dexter Marble lost a leg in the service, in 
a Wisconsin regiment. 

Thus I have given as best I can from 
memory, and from data at command, an 
imperfect record of Fayston and Fayston 
men during the rebellion. Undoubtedly 
the foregoing record is not perfect, yet I 
think it is substantially correct. 

Probably no town in the state suffered 
more financially than this. During the 
latter part of the war when large bounties 
were demanded by volunteers, and paid by 
wealthy towns, Fayston, to save herself 
from draft was obliged in one year (1864) 
to raise for bounties and town expenses 
the almost unheard of sum of $12.50 cents 
upon every dollar of her grand list, thus 
subjecting the owner of a simple poll list 
to the payment of a tax of $25. Yet this 
enormous sum was paid immediately, with 
scarce a murmur of complaint, and not a 
dollar left to be a drag-weight upon tax- 
payers in after years. 

Fayston can look back upon her finan- 
cial record as a town, and the military rec- 
ord of her soldiers with no feelings but 
those of honor, satisfaction and pride ; 
knowing that the privations and valor of 
her sons in the field, and the liberality of 
her citizens at home all contributed their 
mite to keep the grand old flag still float- 
ing over a free and undivided nation. 

GRAND ARMY REPUBLIC'S RESPONSE TO 

SUMNER'S BILL FOR ERASING OUR 

BATTLE RECORDS. 

• BY D. S. STODDARD. 
Blot out our battle records, boys, 

Charles Sumner's bill doth say; 
Forget that you were soldiers once, 

And turn your thoughts away. 

Yes, turn your thoughts away, my boys. 

So noble, brave and true ; 
Forget you lugged a knapsack once, 

And wore the army blue. 

Flaunt not that starry flag, my boys. 

With Lee's Mills, on its fold, 
'Twill make some rebel's heart ache, boys. 

To see it there so bold. 

And blot out Savage Station, too. 

And lilvewlse Malvern Hill; 
That was a noisy place, you know. 

But blot it out, you will. 



Fort Henry, too, and Donelson, 
Where Grant "Surrender" spake, 

In such decided tones it made 
The rebel Pillow shake. 

And Sliiloh, too, and Vicksburg, where 

One Fourth of July day. 
Brave Pemberton his well-tried sword 

At the feet of Grant did lay. 

And Cedar Creek, and Winchester, 

And Sheridan's famous ride: — 
Forget it, boys, forget it all. 

It hurts the rebels' pride. 

And Fredericksburg, and Antietam, 

AVhere cannon rang and roared ; 
And Gettysburg, where three long days 

Grape shot and shell were poured. 

Where thousands freely gave their lives. 

And drenched with blood the sand, 
To stay the How of Treason's tide 

In Freedom's happy land. 

And Richmond, too, and Petersburg, 

And the Wilderness, forget; 
And comrades dear who fought so well. 

Whose sun of life there set. 

Forget, my boys, you ever marched 

With Sherman to the seal 
Deny you ever fought against 

The rebels under Leel 

And Appomattox Court House, too, 

Where Lee dissolved his camp; 
And gave his long and well-tried sword 

To General U. S. Grant. 

Tliose names, we've loved them long, my boys. 

And oft a glow of pride 
Has thrilled through every vein, to think 

We fought there side by side. 

And oftentimes, my comrades dear. 

There comes a sadder thought — 
The price, the price ! by which our laud 

These cherished records bought. 

And now shall we erase those names. 

And make our battle-flags, 
Whicli e'er have been the soldier's pride. 

Nothing but worthless rags? 

No more shall read those glorious names 
While swinging in tlie breeze? < 

No moi-e our hearts shall swell with pride 
To think of bygone deeds? 

And must we suffer all this shame 

To please that rebel horde. 
Who brought the war upon themselves 

By drawing first the sword? 

Then we must ask their pardon, too. 

For what we've done and said ; 
Tramp down the graves of comrades dear. 

And liouor rebel dead. 

And I suppose the next kind thing 

That Suniuer'U want is tills, 
Tliat we get down upon our knees. 

And rebel coat-tails kiss! 

Now, comrades, when all this appears. 

'Twill be when we are dead I 
When every man who fought the rebs 

Sleeps In his narrow bed ! 



MARSHFIELD, 



201 



Rich, district clerk, to support the school 
on the grand list ; Robert Waugh and Na- 
thaniel Pitkin, school com. ; Aaron Elmer, 
collector. Voted, that no one shall have 
a right to take any child into his family to 
attend school, unless he take one for a 
year, and that the selectmen shall act in 
conjunction with the committee in exam- 
ining the school teacher, and to raise $34 
to support schooling. 

At town meeting, Mar. 25, 1801, Caleb 
Pitkin, mod., voted to divide the district; 
set up the old school-house at vendue, to be 
sold to the highest bidder ; sold the house 
for 2^ bushels of wheat, on 6 months' 
credit, to Aaron Elmer; 12 squares of 
glass, to Solomon Oilman, for i bush, of 
wheat; 75 nails, to Nathaniel Dodge, for 
I peck of wheat ; boards, to Robert Waugh, 
for 9s. 6d., to be paid in wheat ; table, to 
Joshua Pitkin, for 2 bush. 2 qts. of wheat ; 
chair, to Joshua Pitkin, for 3 pecks, 4 qts. 
of wheat. The selectmen organized the 
inhabitants on the river road into a school 
district, beginning at Hart Roberts' on 
the north, Capt. Skinner's at the south, 
Nathaniel Pitkin's on the west, and Sam- 
uel Wilson's and Joseph Wells' on the 
east. Stephen Rich, Samuel Paterson, 
Caleb Pitkin, were selectmen. 

So the old school-house was sold, a 
little, square, log-building, covered with 
bark ; a big stone chimney, with an open- 
ing above for the smoke to go out and the 
rain to come in, and the grand old forest 
for play-ground, and did it not ring with 
the merry shouts of childhood? They 
needed no gymnasium then. Were there 
not the trees to climb, the birds' nests and 
squin-el.s to hunt, and partridges and wood- 
chucks to look after? The children did 
not sing in school in those days. They 
had to sit straight, keep their eyes on the 
book, and their toes on the crack. They 
hardly dared breathe in school-time, there 
was such an awe of ferule and rod. The 
children did not sing in school, but the 
bird's song they heard through the open 
window, and wheji the noon-time came, 
the children joined the chorus, and the old 
woods rang again. 

It seems the inhabitants not included in 

26 



the river district, were all in one other dis- 
trict. Afterwards districts were divided 
and arranged, as the inhabitants increased, 
according to their needs. But it was not 
until about 18 12, that a school-house was 
built on the river near Joshua Pitkin's. 
Schools were kept in a portion of a dwell- 
ing-house, and sometimes in Caleb Pit- 
kin's old house. In the mill district, now 
the village, the first school-house was built 
in 1 82 1. The first school in this district 
was taught by Miss Comfort Gage, in the 
summer of 1820, in Capt. Martin Pitkin's 
barn, on the place where the writer re- 
sides. There was a school a number of 
years in the Dwinell district, before the 
convenience of a school-house was en- 
joyed. Four winters this school was kept 
in Simeon Dwinell's kitchen. This to 
some housekeepers might have seemed an 
inconvenience, as the hou.se was small, 
and Mrs. Dwinell had 8 children of her 
own. But she doubtless got along nicely, 
washing days and all. The children must 
be educated ; in those days troops of little 
ones were not so much in the way. 

In 1805, a committee was appointed by 
the town to act in concert with the select- 
men in purchasing a piece of ground for 
the burial of the dead, and the grave-yard 
near J. H. EatorCs was bought of Na- 
thaniel Dodge. 

Mar. 1797, Thomas McLoud, of Mont- 
pelier, and Sally Dodge, of Marshfield, 
were united in marriage by Joseph Wing, 
Esq., of Montpelier, the first marriage in 
town. Joshua Pitkin, Esq., was the first 
justice of peace, and Dec. 10, 1801, he 
married Ebenezer Wells to Susannah Spen- 
cer, the first marriage by a citizen of the 
town. 

Feb. I, 1803, a town meeting was called 
to see if the town would form themselves 
into a Congregational society, and also to 
see if they would agree to settle a minis- 
ter. The vote stood 17 in favor and 70 
against. 

Bears, wolves and deer were very num- 
erous in the early days of Marshfield. The 
wolves made night hideous by their howl- 
ings, and it was no uncommon thing to 
kill a bear or deer. Joshua Pitkin, in his 



202 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



journal, speaks of killing 8 deer at differ- 
ent times, and one bear story belonging to 
our region has in it sufficient of the tragic 
to warrant insertion here. 

One season early in September the bears 
began to make depredations in the corn, 
on the Skinner farm, now Wm. Martin's. 
Solomon Oilman, one of the early settlers, 
who was a great sportsman, promised to 
watch for the bear, and put an end to his 
suppers of green corn ; he took his stand 
at night in the field, waiting the arrival of 
the depredator. The bear came on, and 
was soon helping himself, when with true 
aim, the hunter fired. The bear gave one 
great spring, and came directly on, or 
over him. He felt his time had come. 
The blood was flowing ! He caught the 
lacerated intestines in his hands, replaced 
them as he could in that moment of des- 
peration, wrapped the long skirt of his 
overcoat about his body, holding it firmly 
with both hands ; had just strength enough 
left to shout for help, and to run a short 
distance. Help soon came. They assisted 
him to a place of safety, and folding back 
his overcoat, a double handful of bruin's 
entrails fell to the ground ! Mr. G. lived 
long to be the terror of the denizens of the 
forest, but it was years before he heard 
the last of being killed, by a bear. 

At another time, Mr. Oilman was pur- 
suing a bear through some woods where 
Mr. Ira Stone was chopping. Seeing the 
bear rapidly approaching, Mr. Stone sprang 
upon a large rock. The bear came up. 
Mr. Stone attempted to strike him with 
his axe, but one blow of the bear's paw 
sent the axe to the ground. They now 
clinched. Mr. Stone attempted to grasp 
the bear's tongue, but instead, the bear 
crushed two of his fingers. They rolled to 
the ground, the bear uppermost. Just 
now Mr. Oilman came near, and taking 
aim, shot the bear through the head. The 
crushed fingers was all the serious injury 
Mr. Stone received. 

The settlers made quite a business of 
selling ashes, and afterwards, a larger one 
of making salts for sale. The beautiful 
elms, of which there were many on the 
river banks and in otl;er places, were cut 



down, piled and burned for this purpose, 
and a great deal of other valuable timber. 
Salts sold well, so the day and the long 
night were often spent in boiling salts, and 
more than one woman has lent a hand at 
this work. 

There are only two ponds which lie 
wholly in this town — Nigger Head, of cir- 
cular form, and about half a mile in width, 
and Nob Hill ponds. Long pond lies 
partly in Marshfield and partly in Groton. 
Mud pond has within a few years dried up. 
Our county map shows other ponds in our 
eastern portion, but by actual survey it is 
found that neither of these are our side of 
the line. Our township is somewhat hilly, 
but in only one case are we entitled to the 
name of mountain. 

NIGGER HEAD 

mountain, in the north-easterly part of the 
town, is a steep precipice, 500 feet high, 
in one place 300 feet perpendicular. It is 
an imposing sight, so bold, precipitous 
and grand — nature enthroned in one of 
her wildest phases. On its dizzy heights 
we have a remarkably fine view of the sur- 
rounding regions, and of the bright waters 
of the beautiful pond below, and nowhere 
can one get a better view of the fearful 
precipice, than in a little boat on the 
waters at its base. 

Winooski river passes through this town 
from north to south, more than half of the 
town lying on the east. It receives many 
tributaries in its course. Lye brook, the 
outlet of Pigeon pond in Harris' Gore, is a 
considerable stream, and falls into the 
river a little south of the center of the 
town. 

A part of the south portion of Marshfield 
is more easily convened at Plainfield vil- 
lage, which really extends a little into our 
town than at our own village. As a con- 
sequence our people in that vicinity attend 
church at Plainfield, while a portion of the 
people in Eastern Cabot, on Molly's brook 
and vicinity, attend church at Marshfield. 

On the east side of the river a large 
quantity of good timber remains uncut, 
and there are also on this side of the river 
very large quarries of granite, beautifully 
clear, and of superior quality, and should 



MARSHFIELD. 



203 



the time come when a railroad shall pass 
up through this portion of our town, the 
value of these forests and quarries will be 
estimated very differently from what they 
are now. As far as farms are cultivated 
on this side of the river, they are pretty 
good. 

About the year 1825, quite a settlement 
was made on this side, some 2h miles east 
of where the town-house now stands. So 
many families moved in, that a log school- 
house was built, and at one time there was 
a school of 30 scholars ; but the land prov- 
ing better for pasturage than tillage, after 
a few years the settlement was deserted. 
These large pastures are now owned by 
wealthy farmers. 

The town is in every part well-watered. 
The east part is noted especially for its 
pure, soft, cold springs. There is also 
hardly a farm in town but what has one or 
more good sugar orchards, and the amount 
of sugar made here any year is large. 
Through the kindness of E. S. Pitkin, 
Esq., I have the following statistics of the 
manufacture of maple sugar here in the 
spring of 1868, which is above the average : 
Sugar orchards, 108 ; sugar made in 1868, 
140,350 pounds, or more than 70 tons ; 18 
orchards made each 2,000 and upwards ; 40 
made less than 2,000 and more than 1,000 
pounds. 

W^TER PRIVILEGES. 

Molly's brook, from the easterly part of 
Cabot, unites with the Winooski soon after 
entering this town. On this brook, just 
above the junction, are Molly's Falls, 
which are worthy the notice of the trav- 
eler. They can be seen to advantage from 
the stage-road, a mile above the village. 
The water falls in the distance of 30 rods, 
180 feet. Were we writing fiction, it would 
do, perhaps, to follow the figures of Thomp- 
son in his valuable " Gazeteerof Vermont," 
making these falls 500 feet; but we, who, 
in the clear mornings of summer can hear 
the roaring of the water, will have it just 
as it is, 180 feet. There is an amount of 
water-power here not often equalled. It 
would be difficult to estimate how much 
machinery might be kept in motion by the 
water which is precipitated over these 



falls. Then, on the river below, are a 
number of excellent mill-sites, and in ad- 
dition to all these. Nigger Head brook, 
from where it leaves Nigger Head pond to 
its entrance into the Winooski, has a suc- 
cession of falls, making good locations for 
mills ; all the better, as the stream is never 
materially affected by drought. 

Among our early settlers a good deal of 
attention was paid to orcharding. On the 
hill farms there are good orchards and 
fine fruit, both grafted and native. On 
the river, apple-trees have never done as 
well. 

Aug. 22, 1 811, there was a very great 
rise of water, and Joshua Pitkin lost grass 
sufficient for 15 tons of hay, by the over- 
flowing of his meadows, as his journal tells. 
In Sept. 1828, there was a great flood, and 
Stephen Pitkin, Jrs. clover mill, a mile 
above the village, was carried off; also 
many bridges. July 27, 1830, a great rise 
of water carried off nearly all the bridges 
on the river, and greatly injured the uncut 
grass on the meadows, and Aug. i, 1809, 
there was a great hail-storm, injuring gar- 
dens and corn very much. The evening 
of July 5, 1 84 1, there was a terrific hail- 
storm through a portion of the town. Veg- 
etation was much injured, and very much 
glass broken. Aug. 20, 1869, there was a 
very sudden rise of water, buildings were 
injured, some small ones carried off, and 
bridges and other property destroyed. 

A great gale was experienced here May 
13, 1866. The wind was accompanied 
with rdin, and 4 barns and some smaller 
buildings were blown down. Mr. Amos 
Dwinell was in his son's barn at the time, 
and was buried in its ruins, but extricated 
without much injury. A number of cows 
were in two of the demolished barns, but 
only a very few were seriously injured. 

In the spring of 1807, snow was^h feet 
deep April 4, and when Joshua Pitkin be- 
gan to tap his sugar-place, Apr. 15, it was 
3 feet deep. May 15, 1834, there was a 
great snow-storm, more than 2 feet deep. 
In the winter of 1863 and '4, snow was 
very deep, fences covered for months. 

We have also had our portion of fires. 
A barn was burned Oct. 1806, Jeremiah's 



204 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Carleton's blacksmith shop in 1827 ; after, 
an old house of Caleb Pitkin's, the dwell- 
ing house of Nathan Smith ; the dwelling- 
house of Bemis Pike, Feb. 1835 ; new 
house of Hiram Goodwin, May, 1840 ; the 
starch-factory and clover-mill of Stephen 
Pitkin the night of Dec. 10, 1853, large 
shoe-shop of Henry Goodwin, May, i860; 
house belonging to G. O. Davis, occupied 
by G. W. Nouns, who was severely burned, 
and the family just escaped with their lives. 
Mar. 1869, the saw-mill and shop, and all 
the tools of Calvin York. 

CASUALTIES. 

Betsey Swetland and another young 
lady were riding on horseback May 7, 
18 17, below the village, when she was 
killed by the fall of a tree. She lived only 
a few hours. 

Mr. Jonathan Davis, an aged man, was 
burned to death by falling into the fire, 
probably in a fit, and Jonathan Davis, Jr., 
had a little son drowned in a water-holder 
at the door. 

George Pitkin, 'while drawing wood 
alone, fell before the runner of the sled, 
and was crushed to death, Feb. 20, 1845. 

Martin Bemis, son of Abijah Bemis, came 
to his death by slipping in the road, and a 
sled passing over him. 

Mrs. Linton was accidentally shot, by a 
gun carelessly handled by a boy. 

Mrs. Tubbs, an old lady, accidentally 
took some oil of cedar, and lived but a 
short time. 

Mr. Graves had a little daughter scalded, 
so as to cause death. A child of Nathaniel 
Lamberton was scalded, so as to cause 
its death in a short time. Mrs. Benoni 
Ha.skins was burned, so as to cause death 
in a few hours. A little child of Francis 
Loveland was also burned to death some 
years since, and a child of Spencer Law- 
rence scalded, so as to cause its death. 

A number of years ago, Mr. Asa Willis 
had a very remarkable escape from sudden 
death, while at work on a ledge of rocks, 
near where Daniel Loveland resides. There 
had been Zu unsuccessful attempt made to 
split open a granite rock 12 feet square, 
the lower edge of which lay on a large rock 
15 feet high. The top of the lower rock 



was slanting like the roof of a house. 
While attempting to open the crevice al- 
ready commenced in the upper rock, suffi- 
cient to insert a blast of powder, the rock 
split in two nearly in the middle, Mr. 
Willis falling between the parts, and he 
and they sliding from the large rock to the 
ground, 27 feet. The two pieces, when 
they reached the ground, stood in such a 
way that the upper edges leaned against 
each other, and the lower edges stood 
apart so as to leave a wedge-shaped cavity 
large enough to admit his body, and there 
he lay. No one was with him but Mr. 
Joshua Smith. On ascertaining that he 
was alive, Mr. Smith dug away the earth, 
and succeeded in extricating him from his 
perilous situation. Neither he, nor the 
physician, who was immediately called, 
thought him much injured, and^he lived to 
do a good deal of hard work, and yet it is 
thought he never entirely recovered from 
the effects of the shock. 

IMPROVEMENTS. 

The log houses of the pioneers soon 
gave way to better dwellings. At the 
present time nearly all the houses in town 
are of modern style and finish, but it is 
the barns that ought particularly to be 
mentioned. Many of them are large, 
beautifully finished and painted, and not 
surpassed by any in the vicinity. 

THE TOWX CLERKS 

have been, Stephen Rich 7 years, George 
Rich 7 years, Robert Cristy 9 years, Mar- 
tin Bullock 16 years, Jacob Putnam 19 
years, Jonathan Goodwin 2 years, Samuel 
D. Hollister 2 years, and Andrew English 
24 years, from 1849 to his death in 1873 ; 
Geo. W. English 2 years, and Edgar L. 
Smith, elected in 1875, now in office. 

REPRESENTATIVES . 

The town was first represented in the 
Legislature in 1804, by Stephen Pitkin. 
He held this office in all 13 years, then by 
George Rich 3 years, Wm. Martin I2years, 
Josiah Hollister 2 years, Alonzo Foster 2 
years, Spencer Lawrence 2 years. Wel- 
come Gole 2 years, Horace Hollister 3 
years, Ira Smith 2 years, Stephen R. Hol- 
lister 2 years, E. D. Putnam 2 years, Hi- 



MARSHFIELD. 



205 



ram Potter 2 years, Asa Spencer 2 years, 
George A. Gilman 2 years, Ingals Carleton 
2 years, Samuel D. Hollister 2 years, An- 
drew English 2 years, Bowman Martin 2 
years, C. W. H. Dwinell 2 years, Wm. 
Martin, Jr., 2 years, and Preston Haskins 
2 years. George Wooster, 1869-70; 
Moody Bemis, 1872; George Putnam, 
1874; Levi W. Pitkin, 1876; Marshal D. 
Perkins, 1878; Mark Mears, 1880. 

Town Treasurer. — George O. Davis, 
elected 1870. 

SELECTMEN FROM 1876. 

Eli G. Pitkin, 1876-77; H. P.Martin, 
1876-78; J.H.Eaton, 1876; Willis Lane, 
1876; Marcus R. Bliss, 1877-78-79; H. 
H. Hollister, 1879-80; Chester Sawyer, 
1880; Levi W. Pitkin, Orin H. Smith, 
Daniel Holcomb, 1881. 

TAVERNS. 

Joshua Pitkin, Esq., raised the first 
tavern-sign Oct. 1805. He continued to 
keep.a public house many years. The 
secona tavern was opened by Charles Gate, 
where Erastus Eddy now lives. Joshua 
Smith moved into town from Ashford,Ct., 
in Dec. 1811, bought out Mr. Cate, and 
commenced keeping tavern, which he con- 
tinued 17 years. He was a kind neighbor, 
accommodating to all, and travelers who 
called on him would never forget the ex- 
ceeding drpllery of his jokes. He died at 
the age of 84. His wife, one of our best 
women, still lives (1869) aged 87. 

Capt. James English opened a tavern 
about the year 181 1, where Obed Lamber- 
ton now resides, and kept a public house 
a number of years. He was a wheelwright 
and a highly respected citizen ; removed 
to what is now the village ; died in 1825, 
and was buried with Masonic honors. 

Capt. Jacob Putnam bought out Capt. 
English in 1820, and kept a public house 
some years, and his son, A. F. Putnam, 
kept a number of years after at the old 
stand, and later at the village. 

Dudley Pitkin commenced keeping a 
tavern at the old place occupied by his 
father, about the year 1824, and for a few 
years continued the business. 

Daniel Wilson moved from Alstead, N. 



H., in 1821, and settled in the village. He 
built and run the first carding-machine in 
town. He also bought the place where 
the hotel now stands, and built there a 
one-story plank house. The place soon 
passed into other hands, and in 1826, was 
bought by Eli Wheelock, who put on an- 
other story, and made other additions to 
the house, and opened it as a hotel the 
same year. It has been used for a public 
house till the present time (1869), but so 
many additions and alterations have been 
made, that it would now be rather a dilifi- 
cult matter to find the original building. 
The property soon passed into other hands, 
was purchased by Horace Bliss, who re- 
mained in the tavern a number of years ; 
then sold to Lyman Clark, who afterwards 
sold to Jabez L. Carpenter, and it has had a 
number of owners since. A. F. Putnam 
was proprietor 6 years, and sold to P. 
Stevens. The present occupant (1869) is 
P. Lee. 

STORES. 

The first store in town was opened as 
early as 18 18, by Alfred Pitkin, son of 
Joshua Pitkin, Esq., in a one-story house 
just opposite his father's, and just where 
Wm. Haskins' house stands. After a few 
years Mr. Pitkin removed to Plainlield, 
and later to Montpelier. The first store 
in the village was kept by a Mr. Kimball. 
He stayed here only a short time. 

Enoch D. Putnam opened a store here, 
Apr. 5, 1840, and continued to trade here 
till March, 1855, when he sold out and 
vvent to Cabot, and has recently removed 
to Montpelier. George Wooster went into 
partnership with Mr. Putnam in Sept. 
1848. In May, 1858, G. & F. Wooster 
commenced trade in their starch-factory, 
but have since built a large store, and are 
doing a good business. 

A. F. Putnam commenced trade in 1866, 
and IS also doing a good business. Levi 
Bemis and some others have also been in 
the mercantile business in our village, and 
after a time have left for other places. 
Geo. A. Putnam is our present merchant 
(1881), and Mrs. Adams keeps a ladies 
store. A. F. Putnam, postmaster. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. Bates came here in 1826. He loca- 
ted at Eli Wheelock's hotel ; remained 
but a few months. In 1827, Dr. Hersey 
came here to practice. He boarded at 
Judge Pitkin's ; remained about a year. 
About 1828, Dr. Daniel Corliss settled in 
our village, stayed a year and removed to 
Montpelier, (now East Montpelier, where 
he died.) 

Dr. Asa Phelps removed from Berlin to 
this place in 1 831, and still lives here. 
For many years he was the only resident 
physician. He has known as well as any 
other man, what it was to travel over our 
hills on a dark night, with the thermom- 
eter below zero, while the winds were 
all abroad — years ago. At that time, we 
had many more poor people in town, 
than now, On such nights after doing for 
the sick, if he could have lodging on the 
floor, with his feet towards the lire, he 
would put up till daylight. He was never 
known after such visits to complain of his 
fare, indeed sometimes, he had no fare to 
complain of. He has had a large practice — 
often without pay, never objecting to have 
counsel, and if superseded by others, " he 
kept the even tenor of his way," never 
speaking against the practice of other 
physicians ; thus has secured universal 
respect. 

Dr. Ezra Paine moved here in 1842, and 
remained here some 2 years. 

Dr. George Town removed here from 
Montpelier in 1852, but after a few years, 
sold out and returned to Montpelier, but 
removed here again, and has a good 
practice. 

Dr. J. Q. A. Packer, homceopathist, re- 
moved from Peacham here in 1865. He 
is doing a good business. 

LONGEVITY. 

A few persons here have attained to the 
age of 90 years. Dea. Spencer died at 
90; Mrs. Capron over 90; Mrs. Cree, 94; 
Mrs. Austin, 94. 

Mr. Joel Parker and wife resided in this 
place a year or two. Some few years since, 
Mrs. Parker had attained to the great age 
of 97, and on her birth-day sung two 
hymns to a neighbor who called upon her. 



Mr. P. was 10 years younger. They have 
both recently died in Northfield, she in 
her looth year. 

Aged perso7is who have died in towti 
within 2) or 4. years. — Daniel Young, 91, 
and his wife Lydia, 85 ; Sylvester Love- 
land, 88, and his wife, 84; Mary Bemis, 
84; Samuel G. Bent, 81 ; Ira Smith, 80; 
Abijah Bemis, 86; Willard Benton, 83. 

Aged persons non.v living (1881). — Dr. 
Asa Phelps, 85 ; Lucy Bemis, 86 ; Sally 
Dwinell, 86; Mary York. 

MILLS. 

The first saw-mill in town was built by 
Stephen Pitkin, afterwards Judge Pitkin, 
in 1802, on Lye brook. In 1812, he built 
the first saw-mill at what is now the village, 
and a grist-mill in 18 18, which was used 
many years. The stone and brick grist- 
mill, now owned by Harrison F. Ketchum, 
was built in 183 1, by Gen. Parley Davis 
and Truman Pitkin. About the year 1823, 
Simeon Gage built clothing-works at the 
south part of the village, but they were 
used only a few years. 

LIBRARY. 

There has been for 20 years, in this 
place, a circulating library, of historical 
works, ^iravels, etc. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

BY MIlS. DEA. A. BOYLES. 

The first Congregational church in 
Marshfield was organized Dec. 24, 1800. 
By request of a number of persons in 
town, to be embodied into a visible church 
of Christ, Rev. Mr. Hobart and two breth- 
ren, Mr. Timothy Hatch and Peterson 
Gifford of Berlin, came and organized a 
church of 13 members. Selah Wells was 
the first deacon, and afterwards Gideon 
Spencer. For a number of years they had 
additions, both by professions and letters, 
and were supplied with preaching a por- 
tion of the time by ministers from the 
neighboring towns. Rev. Mr. Hobart of 
Berlin, Rev. Mr. Lyman of Brookfield, 
Rev. Mr. Wright of Montpelier, Rev. 
Mr. Worcester of Peacham, and also a Mr. 
Washburn and Mr. Bliss, were among 
those who occasionally ministered to them. 
About the year 1817, Rev. Levi Parsons, 



MARSHFIELD. 



207 



afterwards missionary to Palestine, was 
here, and preached a number of times. 
But they never enjoyed the blessing of a 
settled minister. Thus they continued till 
Dec. 8, 1825, when with the hope that 
they should enjoy better privileges, those 
members residing at the south part of the 
town, united with the church in Plainfield. 
The rest of the members, and a number 
of other persons who wished to unite with 
a Congregational churcli, thought best to 
form a church at the north part of the town, 
in the vicinity of the village, and by re- 
quest, Rev. Mr. French of Barre, and 
Rev. Mr. Heard of Plainfield, came and 
organized a church, which still remains. 
Brothers Andrew Currier and Alexander 
Boyles, were chosen deacons. It has been 
supplied with preaching a part of the time. 
Among those who have labored here are 
Rev. Messrs. Kinney, Baxter, Herrick, 
Torrey, Waterman, Samuel Marsh, and 
Lane. Rev. Joseph Marsh labored here 
nearly 2 years. Through the summer of 
1868, Rev. Mr. Winch, of Plainfield, 
preached at 5 o'clock every other Sabbath. 
There have been many removals and the 
present number of church members is 
small. 

Record fro7n i86g io A7ig. 3, i^ji, by 
Rev. Af. F. Cobleig/i, pastor, fJieii. — For 
several years there had been but little Con- 
gregational preaching in Marshfield, when 
in the spring of 1870, Rev. J. T. Graves 
preached half of the time for 6 weeks. 
Soon after. Rev. N. F. Cobleigh was en- 
gaged to preach half of the time for i year. 
The church had no church property, but 
in the spring of 187 1, a new church was 
begun, a Sabbath school organized, and a 
library obtained. The church will be ded- 
icated Aug. 16, 1 87 1. The membership 
has more than doubled during the past 
year. Preaching services are now held 
every Sabbath. Rev. N. F. Cobleigh is 
to be settled as pastor Aug. i6th inst. 

Record from Aug. 1877, to 1879, ffom 
Rev. Geo. E. Forbes. — From this time to 
the spring of 1877, Rev. Mr- Cobleigh 
was its pastor, and through his faithfial ef- 
forts its membership was very largely in- 



creased. Of the 57 who composed the 
church when Mr. Cobleigh resigned, only 
9 were members in 1870. Aug. 16, the 
church was dedicated and the pastor in- 
stalled. After Mr. Cobleigh's resignation 
in 1877, Rev. John Stone, of Berlin, sup- 
plied until early in 1878, when Rev. Paul 
Henry Pitkin, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was 
called to be its pastor. He was installed 
March 14; is its present pastor (1879.) 
Alexander Boyles, elected deacon in Aug. 
1827, held office till his death, Nov. 27, 
1876. The other deacons have been An- 
drew Currier, Silas Carleton, Benjamin 
Boyles and Mervin Roberts. 

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. 

15V MISS A. BULLOCK. 

About the year 1815, Elder John Capron 
commenced preaching in this town, and 
soon after removed his family here from 
Danville. There was a revival of religion, 
and a church was organized about this 
time. They believed the Scriptures, to- 
gether with the spirit of God, a sufficient 
rule of faith and practice. They were 
blessed with more or less prosperity till 
1825, when some of them considered some 
articles setting forth their faith and cove- 
nant, as necessary and proper for a Chris- 
tian church. This caused a division, but 
finally there was a reorganization under 
the pastoral care of Elder Capron, Dec. 
15, 1836, the two blending together again. 
Between this time and March 5, 1844, 
44 persons united with this church, a part 
living in Calais, and a part in Marshfield'. 
Among this number there were many of 
whom we believed "their record is on 
high." Elder Capron had but little edu- 
cational advantages, was of warm and 
energetic temperament, and many remem- 
ber him justly, as a friend and brother in 
adversity. He moved from this town 
some time after the death of his excellent 
wife, who was kind to all and ever had a 
word for the afflicted. She died June 14, 
1848, and was buried in our soil, and her 
memory still clings to our hearts. Elder 
Capron being the first settled minister in 
town, was entitled to, and received the 
town's minister lot of land. He removed to 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Stowe. [See history of Morristown. Ed.] 
He was married a second time, and died 
some years since. 

About the year 1839, there was another 
church of the Christian denomination or- 
ganized in the North-west part of the town, 
under the direction of Elder Jared L. Green. 
This church was subjected to very hard 
and severe trials. Many of its members 
.sleep in the dust, some are scattered to 
other parts, while others are living and 
striving for the better land. 

ADVENT CHURCH. 

Feb. 6, 1867, another church was organ- 
ized here of 6 members, believing in the 
advent of Christ near at hand, under the 
pastoral care of Rev. J. A. Cleaveland. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

From the early settlement of the town 
there have been residents here who have 
maintained the views of the Baptist church. 
More than 30 years ago a church of this 
denomination was organized, consisting of 
members in Barre, Plainfield and Marsh- 
field. The larger number resided in Barre 
and Plainfield, and this church will prob- 
ably be mentioned in the history of one of 
those towns. [Barre has left it, we think, 
to Plainfield.— Ed.] 

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 
BY KEY. A. SCOTT. 

Universalism was introduced into this 
town by Daniel Bemis, a Revolutionary 
soldier, who moved here from Conn, in 
1809. Soon after Ebenezer Dodge, Jr., 
and Robert Spencer became associated 
with Mr. B. in religious faith. The first 
preacher of this faith here was Rev. Wm. 
P^arewell, in 18 18. From this time there 
was occasional Universalist preaching here 
till 1854, by Revs. L.H. Tabor, Benjamin 
Page, Lester Warren, and it may be some 
others. 

In 1854, Daniel Bemis, Junior, Edwin 
Pitkin, Jonathan Goodwin, Abijah Hall 
and others united and secured the services 
ofRev. Wm. Sias for one-fourth of the 
Sabbaths for this and the next year. 
During 1855, the friends organized, under 
the name of "The Universalist Society of 
Liberal Christians in Marshfield." The 



society for the year 1856 and '7^ enjoyed 
the labors of Rev. Eli Ballou for one- 
fourth the Sabbaths. 

In 1827, an association was formed 
called " The Union meeting-house soci- 
ety," for building and keeping in repair a 
church they erected in the village in the 
north part of the town ; the only church 
edifice in town till 1859. [In 1831, when 
the first list of shares prepared apportion- 
ing the time to the several denominations, 
the Universalists were represented by four 
shares, owned bySam'l. Ainsworth, Daniel 
Bemis, Jr., and Cyrus Smith.] In 1857, 
this association repaired and modernized 
the church, making it neat and pleasant, 
both external and internal. Some of the 
other societies, desiring more room at this 
time, relinquished their interest in the 
church. The property being sold to pay 
the assessment upon it, it fell into different 
hands, and at the present writing, 1869, 
three-fourths of the occupancy is given to 
the Universalist society. This change in 
the occupancy of the house gave a new im- 
petus to the cause in the town. This so- 
ciety has since sustained public worship 
one-half of the Sabbaths, excepting 1866 
and '7, duringwhich they sustained it every 
Sabbath. These years were supplied as 
follows : 1858 and '9, by Rev. Eli Ballou ; 
i860. Rev. M. B. Newell; 1861, '2 and '3, 
by Rev. E. Ballou; 1864, byRev. Olympia 
Brown; 1865, by Rev. L. Warren: 1866, 
'7 and '8, by Rev. A. Scott. Revs. New- 
ell, Brown and Scott lived in the town 
during their ministrations. The society 
was united, and at the present time, 1869, 
is in as good, if not better, condition than- 
at any former period, having raised more 
money for the support of worship one-half 
of the Sabbaths, than it had ever before 
done. Rev. L. Warren is to labor with it 
from May i, 1869. Connected with the 
society and congregation are some 40 fam- 
ilies, beside many single individuals of 
other families. There is also a small Sab- 
bath-school, for the use of which there is 
a reading library of 150 vols. The church 
property is worth from $3,000 to $3,500, 
I of which is given to the occupancy of 
the society. 



MARSHFIELD. 



209 



From paper of Rev. Geo. E. Forbes in 
1879 — Universalist record continued. — In 
1869, Rev. Lester Warren was engaged to 
preach one-half of the time till the spring 
of 1873. Ill July of this year, Rev. Geo. 
E. Forbes was settled over the society. 
For 2 years the Plainfield society united 
with this for his support. The remainder 
of the time he has preached for this so- 
ciety exclusively, and is its present pastor. 

The Union Sabbath-school, composed 
of scholars from the different denomina- 
tions occupying the church, was continued 
until 1871. Since that time the Sabbath- 
school here has been connected with this 
society ; present number, about 90, officers 
and pupils. A. H. Davis was its super- 
intendent in 1 87 1 to '75) when he was suc- 
ceeded by C. H. Newton. Under the 
ministry of Rev. L. Warren in 1871, a 
church was organized, which at present 
numbers 43 members. John E. Eddyand 
Abial H. Davis were elected deacons, and 
still hold the office. Ira H. Edsonwas the 
first church clerk, succeeded by D. R. 
Loveland and C. H. Newton, present 
clerk, 

METHODIST CHURCH IN MARSHFIELD. 

In May, 1826, Stephen Pitkin, Jr., mar- 
ried the writer, a daughter of Gen. Parley 
Davis, of Montpelier. A few months be- 
fore she had been baptized by Rev. Wil- 
bur Fisk, and united with the M. E. church 
on probation. Previous to their marriage 
Mr. Pitkin had also experienced religion. 
In Jan. 1827, there being no Methodists in 
Marshfield at that time, they both united 
with the Methodist church in Cabot ; he 
as a probationer, being baptized by Rev. 
A. D. Sargeant, of the N. E. Conference, 
and she, by letter, in full connection. In 
1827, the union meeting-house was built 
at Marshfield, and a committee appointed 
to divide the time for occupying the house 
between the different denominations own- 
ing it. A few Sabbaths were set to the 
Methodists, though Mr. Pitkin was the 
only Methodist pew-holder. Rev. N. W. 
Aspinwall, preacher in charge at Cabot, 
appointed and attended meetings here on 
these Sabbaths alternately with his col- 



league. Rev. Elisha J. Scott. In Feb. 
1828, the first quarterly meeting was held, 
weather stormy. The meeting commenced 
Saturday, p. M. Several ministers and one 
minister's wife were in attendance, and all 
were entertained at our own house — a 
small frame-house, never encumbered with 
clapboards. 

The next year Sophronia and Sally Cate 
were baptized by Rev. Hershal Foster — 
the former now Mrs. Guernsey, of Mont- 
pelier. These two, with Mr. Pitkin and 
myself, and a Mrs. Whittle, constituted 
the first Methodist class in Marshfield, or- 
ganized in the autumn of 1829, Mr. Pitkin 
class-leader and steward. What seasons 
of interest were the class-meetings and 
prayer-meetings of those days ! The next 
to join were Samuel G. Bent and wife. 
Our numbers increased very gradually ; 
at most, we occupied the church only \ 
the Sabbaths. Rev. Solomon Sias, Rev. 
Stephen H. Cutler, Rev. E. J. Scott, and 
others, spoke to us the words of life. About 
1834, the first wife of Andrew English, 
Esq., proposed to the writer, we should 
get the children of the neighborhood -to- 
gether for a Sabbath-school. As we had 
preaching at the church so little, we met 
at our homes alternately, at 5 o'clock. 
This we did many months, till we had a 
good-sized school, when it was proposed 
to take our Sabbath-school to the church, 
where it was duly organized, Jeremiah 
Carleton, Esq., first superintendent. A 
library was procured, and the school pros- 
pered. It was strictly a union Sabbath- 
school. The desk was supplied by minis- 
ters of different denominations, and our 
Sabbath-school went on. For a number 
of years the Methodists were supplied with 
.preaching \ the time, by preachers who 
lived in Cabot. After that, we were united 
with Woodbury and Calais, and supplied 
in that way. A few united with the little 
band from year to year, but deaths and re- 
movals kept our number small. Some of 
these death-bed scenes were, however, re- 
markably happy. Especially was this the 
case in the death of Loamml Sprague. 

The first preacher sent here by Confer- 
ence was Rev. David Packer, who died a 



27 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



few years since in Chelsea, Mass. He re- 
sided on East Hill, in Calais. 

At this time preachers received but a 
very small salary, and the members were 
often scattering and poor. After being in 
Calais a few weeks, Mr. and Mrs. Packer 
one morning ate their last food. Almost 
an entire stranger, Mr. Packer did not feel 
that he could beg. After uniting in fam- 
ily prayer, he retired to an old barn on the 
place, while she sought her closet, and 
each alone committed their case to the 
father of the stranger and the poor. 

A mile away from them lived a young 
farmer, not a professor of religion. As he 
started after breakfast for the hay-field with 
his hired help, something seemed to impel 
him to stop. He must go back to the 
house and carry some provisions to the 
new minister. It was of no use to say, 
"I'm not acquainted with them, I know 
nothing of their needs," he must take 
them some food. He told the men they 
might go to mowing, he must go back. 
He went back, told his wife his feelings, 
and they together put up meat, potatoes, 
flour, butter and sugar, and other things, 
a fair wagon load, and he took it over, 
and found how blessed it was to give, and 
they, how safe to trust in God. 

Slowly did the little church increase, 
never having preaching more than one- 
fourth of the time for many years. 

In 185 1, the Congregationalists and 
Methodists agreed to unite and support 
preaching. First for 2 years they would 
have Congregational preaching, and then 
Methodist for the next 2. Rev. Mr. Marsh, 
Congregational, was our first minister, 
and at the close of the two years Rev. 
Lewis P. Cushman was appointed by Con- 
ference, and spent 2 years with us. In 
those years a number were added to the 
church. Mr. Cushman is now a mission- 
ary in Texas ; his little daughter, Clara, 
so well remembered by us, started last 
October as a missionary to China. 

Before the close of Mr. Cushman's first 
year Mr. Pitkin died, and as he had been 
very influential in procuring and sustain- 
ing preaching, and there was no one to 
then take his place, the effort was now aban- 



doned, and for a number of years we had 
no stated preaching. At length, in 1859, 
a few concluded to make one more effort, 
and Rev. Joshua Gill was stationed with 
us. The Union church had passed mostly 
into the hands of the Universalists, and 
we had no preaching place. We needed a 
church, and one was put up and covered 
in "'59, and finished in i860. The house 
was the right size, well furnished. Our 
next minister was Rev. Geo. H. Bickford, 
an excellent preacher, and one of the best 
of men. He died some years later at 
Barton. His last words, his hand upon 
his breast, closing his eyes, that grand old 
doxology, the gloria, "Glory be to the 
Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." 
Rev. C. S. Buswell came next 2 years. 
Rev. James Robinson was stationed here 
in 1865, Rev. Joseph Hamilton in 1867; 
both years we had some additions. In 
1869, Rev. James Spinney was appointed 
here. No. of vols, in S. S. library, 450. 

In 1 87 1, Rev. J. Hamilton was with us 
again, and stayed one year. In 1872, 
Conference made Rev. C. P. Flanders our 
pastor, succeeded in 1874, by Rev. C. A. 
Smith, who was with us 3 years, followed 
by Rev. G. H. Hastings in 1877, in 1879 
by Rev. O. A. Farley, and in 1881 by Rev. 
C. H. Farnsworth, our present pastor. 
Our members have gradually increased ; 
our present number is 73. 

In the spring of 1870, we bought of 
Bemis Pike a good house and garden for a 
parsonage; cost, $1,800. 

Feb. 3, 1878, our church was burned. 
The society had just put down a new car- 
pet, and a new organ and new lamps had 
been purchased, which, together with our 
large Sabbath-school library, was all con- 
sumed, and no insurance. What a loss for 
us ! But after mature deliberation we de- 
cided to rebuild. The Church Extension 
Society gave us $200, Rev. A. L. Cooper 
$50, and a few other friends smaller sums. 
January 16, 1879, our new church was 
dedicated, sermon by Rev. A. L. Cooper. 
The church is built in the Norman Gothic 
style of architecture, nicely finished and 
furnished throughout, wairmed from the 
vestry beneath, and free from debt. 



MARSHFIELD. 



Since we have had a church of our own, 
our Sabbath-school has been prosperous, 
and never more so than at the present time. 
It is large, numbering over 80. The pres- 
ent superintendent is J. B. Pike. 

STEPHEN PITKIN, 

whose history is so interwoven with early 
Methodism in Marshfield, was very un- 
assuming in his manners, and very strong 
in his temperance and anti-slavery prin- 
ciples. He belonged to the old Liberty 
party when in this town ; their caucuses 
were opened with prayer. He had a great 
aversion to pretension. He once lent his 
sleigh and harness to a man calling him- 
self John Cotton, to go to Barnet, to be 
gone three days. Cotton was quite a 
stranger, having been in our place but 6 
weeks, during which he had boarded with 
my husband's brother, working for him a 
part of the time, and the rest of the time 
selling clocks he had purchased of a Mr. 
Bradford, in Barre. Four days went by. 
On inquiry, Mr. Pitkin found that the 
clocks had been purchased on trust, and 
all sold for watches or money ; that he 
owed $60 toward his horse, and that he 
had borrowed of the brother with whom 
he boarded, horse-blanket, whip and mit- 
tens. It seemed sure he was a rogue. 
What could be done? Pursuit was use- 
less after such a lapse of time. Mr. P. 
felt his loss severely ; he had little prop- 
erty then,'and what he had, was the product 
of hard labor; but he always made his 
business a subject of prayer. About 3 
weeks passed away. One evening, having 
been out some time, he came in, and with 
his characteristic calmness, said, "H — , I 
shall not worry any more about my sleigh 
and harness ; I think I shall get them again." 
"Why do you think so?" said I. His an- 
swer was, " I have been praying God to 
arrest Cotton's conscience, so that he will 
be obliged to leave them where I can get 
them, and I believe he will do it," and 
from this time, Wednesday evening, he 
seemed at rest on the subject. The next 
Tuesday morning, as he stepped into the 
post-office, a letter was handed him from 
Littleton, N. H., written by the keeper of 
a public house there : 



Mr. Pitkin — Sir : — Mr. John Cotton has 
left your sleigh and harness here, and you 
can have them by calling for them. 

Yours, &c., John Newton. 

He started for Littleton the same day, 
some 40 miles, found the sleigh and har- 
ness safe, with no encumbrance. The 
landlord said the Wednesday night pre- 
vious, at 12 o'clock, a man calling himself 
John Cotton came to his house, calling for 
horse-baiting and supper. He would not 
stay till morning, but wished to leave the 
sleigh and harness for Mr. Pitkin, of 
Marshfield, Vt. He also requested the 
landlord to write to Mr. Pitkin, and said 
he could not write, and that he took them 
for Mr. Pitkin on a poor debt, and started 
off at 2 o'clock at night, on horseback, 
with an old pair of saddle-bags and a 
horse-blanket on a saddle with one stirrup, 
and no crupper, on one of the coldest 
nights of that winter. None of the other 
men to whom he was indebted received 
anything from him, or ever heard from him 
after. 

[This brief sketch of this so worthy man 
cannot be better completed than by the 
following lines we have in our possession, 
which were written by Mrs. Pitkin after his 
death :] 

"I liave loved tliee on Eartli, 
May I meet thee in Heaven! " 

Thrice, since they laid him with the dead. 
Have Autunm's golden sheaves been laded. 

Thrice have the spring-birds come and flown. 
And thrice the flowrets bloomed and faded. 

Yet, yet tlie far-off l)irds returning. 

The harvest sunset gilded o'er. 
The flowrets springing, blooming, fading. 

But whisper, " he will come no more." 

That hymn of praise, that voice iu prayer. 

On memory's zephyrs back to me. 
Thrilling my inmost soul, they come 

Like midnight music ou the sea. 

In these dear haunts, besiiie this hearth. 
There is for me no answering tone. 

We knelt together by her grave, 
I weep and pray by theirs alone! 

Oh, '"pure in heart," in purpose firm. 

To me be tliy meek mantle given ; 
One faith, one hope was ours on earth, 

God grant us one bless'd home in Heaven. 

In the winter of 1866, a lodge of Good 
Templars was organized here. Good has 
been accomplished, and it is hoped much 
more may yet be done. The present num- 
ber of members is loi. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



DEA. GIDEON SPENCER 

Came first to Marshfield from East Hart- 
ford, Conn., in company with Caleb and 
Martin Pitkin in the spring of 1792. That 
summer and the next they worked clear- 
ing land, and preparing for the coming of 
their families, returning for them in the 
fall. February, 1794, Mr. Spencer, Caleb 
Pitkin and Aaron Elmer removed their 
families to this wilderness, and commenced 
the settlement of Marshfield. From Mont- 
pelier they came with hand-sleds without 
roads over snow 4 feet deep. Daniel, old- 
est child of the Spencer family, was 4 years 
old. This family had the first daughter, 
born in town, and their son, Horace, was 
born the day the town was organized. 
Their location was a mile from either of 
the other settlers. So neighborly were the 
bears, Mr. Spencer found it necessary to 
take his gun when going after his cow, 
which had the whole forest for pasture. 

He was chosen deacon of the Congrega- 
tional church, soon after its organization ; 
was active in sustaining meeting, and at- 
tained the great age of 90 years. His 
wife, a daughter of Capt. Isaac Marsh, a 
woman of energetic and social habits, died 
at the age of 86. 

CALEB PITKIN 

married Hannah, daughter of Capt. Isaac 
Marsh, and came first to Marshfield as a 
surveyor. He was rather retiring in his 
manners, but had a vein of pleasantry 
which made him agreeable company, 
and he had a good education for the 
times. He was a good reader, and often 
when no minister was present, read the 
Sunday sermon. His trade was a mason, 
and the original stone-chimneys of the 
first dwellings were laid by him. His 
wife was social, and a worker. He re- 
moved to Peacham a few years before his 
death, Apr. 1813, at the age of 40. His 
widow returned to Marshfield, and lived 
some years after the decease of her hus- 
band. The oldest son, James, still lives 
on the old place. One son, a physician, 
has deceased, and a daughter lives in 
Burlington. 



JOSHUA PITKIN, ESQ., 

born in East Hartford, Conn., arrived 
with his wife and three children in Marsh- 
field on the 1st of Mar., 1795, and located 
where Wm. Haskins now lives. Not a 
tree was felled on the lot, excepting what 
had been felled by hunters in trapping 
for furs ; but he went to work and soon 
had a spot cleared, a Tog-house up and 
ready to occupy. He raised a large family, 
and resided on the same place till his 
death. He kept the first public house in 
town, and was the first justice of peace. 
He and his exemplary wife united with the 
Congregational church. She died about 
182 1, and he married again. He com- 
menced a journal of his life and busi- 
ness Mar. 28, 1796. The last record is 
dated June 10, 1847. He died June 25, 
1847. His last words were, " I know that 
my Redeemer liveth," etc. Dea. Pitkin 
of Montpelier, his second son, kept the 
first store in town. None of his descend- 
ants remain in Marshfield. 

HON. STEPHEN PITKIN 

came with his wife into this town March i, 
1795. He had a large farm, pleasantly 
located, where Bowman Martin now re- 
sides. He was very well educated for the 
times, and possessed of a strong mind, 
and great energy. His keen eye, and 
commanding look gave evidence he was 
one to lead others, rather than one to be 
led. His influence was great in the busi- 
ness transactions of the town. He was 
the first town representative ; held the 
office in all, 13 years; was first militia 
captain, eventually became a major, and 
was assistant county judge 4 years. 

He was considerate of the poor, and the 
writer is informed by his nephew, James 
Pitkin, Esq., that in the cold season of 
i8i6and'i7, when almost no provisions 
were raised, he bought salmon at Mont- 
pelier by the barrel, when he had to be 
trusted for it himself, and sold it out to 
those in need, taking his pay when they 
could work for it.. He continued to reside 
on the same farjn till his death, which took 
place May 22, 1834, age 62. He raised a 
family of 13 children, 12 of his own, one 



MARSHFIELD. 



!I3 



dying in infancy, and one, the motherless 
babe of his brother, Levi, he and his ex- 
cellent wife adopted and brought up as 
their own. His oldest son, Horace, set- 
tled in town, but after a few years, re- 
moved to Central Ohio, where he recently 
died. His second son, Edwin, an enter- 
prising citizen, settled in town, raised a 
large and intelligent family, was consider- 
ably in town business, — and was for many 
years the principal surveyor in the vicinity. 
He died a few years since. His third son, 
Truman, settled in Marshfield first, sub- 
sequently in Montpelier, where he died, 
leaving 3 sons and one daughter. One of 
his sons. Gen. P. P. Pitkin, resides in 
Montpelier, and the other two at the West. 
His 4th son, Stephen Pitkin, Jr., will be 
particularly mentioned in another place in 
this history. The two youngest sons went 
West, where one died a number of years 
since. Three daughters still live, one in 
Iowa, and two in Massachusetts. 

CAPT. STEPHEN RICH, 

born in Sutton, Mass., at 15 became a 
soldier in the Revolutionary war, as a sub- 
stitute for his father. He was at the taking 
of Burgoyne, and in a number of other 
battles. He came to Marshfield in Feb. 
1798, and settled where his grandson 
Samuel D. Hollister now resides. He 
was the first selectman of Marshfield and 
first town clerk ; held the office 7 years. 
His only son George, was also town clerk 
7 years. He removed to Montpelier, 
where he died. Capt. Rich filled various 
town offices, and was an esteemed citizen. 
He accumulated a large property, and had, 
besides the son mentioned, a family of 
five daughters. He resided where he first 
settled till his death, at the age of 83. His 
wife, a woman of uncommon energy, sur- 
vived some years after his decease. 

CAPT. JOSIAH HOLLISTER. 

Born in E. Hartford, Ct., came to Marsh- 
field about the year 1806. He married 
Phebe, daughter of Capt. Stephen Rich, 
in 1809. He acquired a large property, 
was respected by his townsmen, and had a 
fair share of town offices. He represented 
the town in the legislature of the State 2 



years, and was chosen captain of a com- 
pany of cavalry. He died at the age of 52. 

HON. HORACE HOLLISTER. 

Born in E. Hartford, Ct.,in 1791 ; when 
a young man came to Marshfield, and re- 
sided one year with his brother Josiah, 
and then returned to Ct. ; was married to 
Ruth P., daughter of Capt. Stephen Rich, 
and moved to Colebrook, N. H., first in 
18 17, and to Marshfield in 1821. Like his 
brother, he was very successful, shared 
largely in the confidence of the people, 
and was very much in public business. 
He was a man who had an opinion of his 
own, and dared express it. He was elect- 
ed to most of the town offices ; was over- 
seer of the poor many years ; also, assistant 
judge 2 years, and senator 2 years. He 
died recently, aged 76. 

HON. WILLIAM MARTIN. 

BY MRS. SOLOMON WELLS, OF PLAINFIELD. 

Among the early settlers of Marshfield, 
was Wm. Martin, born in Francistown, 
N. H., July 28, 1786. In 1800, his father 
and family moved to the frontiers of Ver- 
mont. William worked out mostly till 21, 
to help support his father's family. He 
worked at South Boston apart of the time, 
and on the first canal that was built at 
Cambridge, and went to Canada, owing to 
the scarcity of money in Vermont, and 
worked. He had no education except 
what he picked up, without attending 
school. At 18, he enlisted in a company 
of cavalry ; was chosen at once an officer, 
and rose from one grade of office to an- 
other to colonel. At the time of Presi- 
dent Monroe's visit to Vermont, he com- 
manded the company that escorted him 
into Montpelier, and took dinner with the 
President. He continued in the militia, 
was in the war of 18 12, and at the battle 
of Plattsburgh. 

In 1809, he married Sabra Axtell, of 
Marshfield, and moved that summer to 
Plainfield, where he lived 4 years, and 
then bought a farm in Marshfield, about a 
mile above Plainfield village, where he re- 
sided till 1840. His farm was one of the 
finest upon the head waters of the Win- 
ooski. He had 5 boys and 2 girls, two 



214 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of whom are now dead. He held many of 
the town offices ; was constable and col- 
lector 25 years; 12 years representative, 
and a number of times was one of the as- 
sistant judges of the County Court. Up 
to 1840, much of his time was spent in 
public business. He then moved to Mont- 
pelier (now E. Montpelier,) afterwards 
returned to Marshfield, but finally removed 
to Rockton, 111., where he now resides. 
His wife is still living (1869,) but has been 
blind for 16 years. He is a man of fine 
social qualities, and was always hospitable 
and kind to the poor. He acquired a 
handsome property, and an accuracy in 
doing business which but few men possess. 
He was many years a member of the Con- 
gregational church in Plainfield. 

JACOB PUTNAM, ESQ. 

BY HON. E. D. PUTNAM, OF MONTI'ELIEU. 

My father, Jacob Putnam, moved from 
Alstead, N. H., to Manshfield, with his 
family, himself and wife, 3 boys and 3 
girls, in the spring of 1820. He also 
brought with him his father and mother, 
Joseph and Miriam Putnam. They were 
among the first settlers of Hancock, N. H., 
where my father was born in 1784. He 
bought the farm of James English, Esq., 
on the river road, 2 miles south of the vil- 
lage, 220 acres, for which he paid $1,400. 
He afterwards sold 50 acres, and the remain- 
der was sold in 1868 for $6,200. This is 
about a fair sample of the rise of real estate 
in the town in the last 50 years. Mr. Eng- 
lish moved to the village, and built a house 
and wheelwright shop. There were at 
that time a saw and grist-mill, and only 
two houses within what are now the limits 
of the village. The land where the vil- 
lage now stands was then but partially 
cleared, and there were no settlements 
east of the river, except in the extreme 
N. E. and S. E. corners of the town, and 
there was but little money in the country. 
Most of the business transactions were in 
neat stock and grain. When anything of 
any considerable value was bought on 
credit (as was usually the case,) notes 
were generally given, payable in neat stock 
in Oct., or grain in Jan. following. When 



the prices of the stock could not be agreed 
upon by the parties, three men were se- 
lected as appraisers, their appraisal to be 
binding upon the parties. A pair of good 
oxen were worth about $50 to $60 ; cows, 
$12 to $15 ; corn and rye were worth focts. 
per bushel ; oats, 20 cents ; potatoes, 12 to 
20 cents. Good crops of wheat were gen- 
erally raised in town, and I can recollect 
of wheat being carried as late as 1824, to 
Troy, N. Y., for a market. There was no 
manufacturing to any considerable extent 
done in this country as early as 1820. 
Nearly all the clothing was made at home 
by hand. The spinning-wheel and loom 
might be found in almost every house, and 
among my earliest recollections is the buzz 
of the wheel and the thumping of the old 
loom, and whenever there came a pleasant, 
sunny day in March, the flax-break might 
be heard at almost every farmer's barn, 
and very well do I recollect the "big 
bunches " of woolen and linen yarn which 
"ornamented" the kitchen of the old 
homestead, spun by my mother and sis- 
ters. The words of Proverbs, " She seek- 
eth wool and flax, and worketh diligently 
with her hands," were peculiarly applicable 
to my mother. In addition to making all 
the cloth for clothing the family, she made 
hundreds of yards of woolen and linen 
cloth, and exchanged it at the store for 
family necessaries. These days have 
passed. A spinning-wheel is ^rarely seen 
now ; if found at all, it is stowed away in 
some old garret, a relic, and the sewing- 
machine is annihilating the needle. Are 
people happier now than they were then ? 
My father enjoyed the confidence of the 
public ; was town clerk 19 years, and oc- 
casionally held other town offices. He 
lived on the same place where he first 
bought 36 years, to the time of his death, 
in 1856, aged 72 years. My mother died 
in 1864, aged 81. They lived together 52 
years. Their children are all living, except 
the eldest son, Thomas B., who died Apr. 
30, 1830. The youngest son, A. F. Put- 
nam, is the present postmaster of Marsh- 
field. My grandfather died in 1826, aged 
83 years ; my grandmother in 1835, aged 
91. 



MARSHFIELD. 



215 



JONATHAN GOODWIN, ESQ. 

BY MKS. H. L. GOODWIN. 

Jonathan Goodwin was born at Con- 
cord, N. H., May 27, 1784, where he 
passed his youth and early manhood. He 
was one of a large family. Were it not 
for the experience of the late war, it would 
be difficult for a person in these days to 
realize the bitterness of party-spirit and 
controversy, even among kindred, which 
existed before and during the war of 1812. 
At a family gathering where politics were 
discussed, Jonathan being a Democrat, 
and the other members of the family Fed- 
eralists, a brother remarked, "as there 
was a prospect of war, it would be a good 
time for him to show his patriotism and 
courage, if he had any." He replied, "it 
was a pity those who had so much sympa- 
thy for the enemies of their country, were 
not in a position to afford them the aid and 
assistance they would naturally wish to 
give." These remarks were never for- 
gotten. Jonathan enlisted as recruiting 
sergeant, was afterwards lieutenant and 
captain; was stationed at Saco, Me., Bos- 
ton and Plattsburgh. At the latter he re- 
ceived an injury from which he never re- 
covered, and was a pensioner the remain- 
der of his life. It is worthy of remark that 
during the 7 years he was in the United 
States' service, although at that time the 
custom of using ardent spirits was almost 
universal, he never indulged in it, not even 
after being assured by his physician that 
probably he would not survive the cam- 
paign without it. In 18 14, his family 
moved from Concord, N. H., to Randolph, 
Vt. After his discharge he removed to 
Chelsea, and in 1839, to this town to re- 
side with his eldest son. The following 
summer they built a house, and occupied 
it one winter. In April it was burned. 

It was burned on Saturday. The next 
day, Elder Caprpn announced from his 
pulpit that on Monday the inhabitants 
would meet to assist Messrs. Goodwin in 
getting out timber for another house-frame. 

On Monday, men enough came to cut 
the timber, hew it, frame it, draw it over a 
mile, and raise a house, 28 by 34 feet, in a 
day. 



He passed the remainder of his life in 

Marshfield ; was justice of peace, town 
clerk 2 years, postmaster 2 years, and 
often administered on the estates of the 
deceased, and gave general satisfaction. 
Although in early life his opportunities for 
education were limited, he was a person of 
more than ordinary information, especially 
in history and the Bible, of which he was 
a daily student. 

In early life he united with the Baptist 
church in Concord, but during a season of 
religious interest in Chelsea, was drawn to 
a more thorough examination of the Scrip- 
tures than ever before, which led to his 
embracing the doctrine of the final re- 
demption of all, in which belief he after- 
wards continued till his death, Jan. 1867, 
aged 82, generally respected as a man and 
a Christian. 

REV. MARCUS M. CARLETON, 

son of Jeremiah Carleton, Esq., was born 
in Marshfield, 1826. When about 15, he 
made a profession of religion, uniting with 
the Congregational church in Barre, where 
he resided with his uncle. He soon after 
decided to be a foreign missionary, and 
from hence devoted all his energies to pro- 
curing a suitable education. He first en- 
tered Middlebury College, but removed to 
Amherst College, Massachusetts, where he 
graduated, and on account of a chronic 
cough went south to study theology at 
Columbia, S. C. After finishing his course, 
he offered himself to the Congregational 
Board for foreign missions, but was not 
accepted, they fearing his health would 
fail ; but determined in his resolutions he 
olTered himself immediately to the Presby- 
terian Board by whom he was accepted, 
and sailed for India in 1865, where he has 
labored most of the time since. He was 
stationed first in Ambalia city, but the 
mission seeing him eminently fitted for an 
itinerant, set him apart for that work after 
a few years, since which he has lived most 
of the time in a tent, travelling from vil- 
lage to village in Ambalia district, in- 
structing and preaching to the people, and 
having studied medicine, finding it very 
advantageous to him in his ministeral 



2l6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



labors among the inhabitants, he also ad- 
ministers to them as a physician — some- 
times his family accompany him in the 
tent ; but during the hot season they gen- 
erally remain among the mountains, where 
he sometimes rests with them during the 
hottest period: [An account of his family 
we will not repeat here, as we have already 
given the same in a notice of Rev. Mr. 
Carleton with his family in Barre — See No. 
I, of this vol. p. 40. A member of the 
Carleton family tells me he is a man of 
herculean frame — physically and mentally 
a very strong man. In a letter to his 
father in 1879, an extract of which lies 
before me, he speaks of his good health 
as a source of great joy — seems to luxu- 
riate body and soul in his nomadic preach- 
ing life.] 

MARSHFIELD MILITARY RECORD. 
SOLDIERS OF l8l2. 

This place furnished 8 : Abijah Bemis, 
Phineas Bemis, Obadiah Bemis, David 
Cutting, John Waugh, Abijah Hall, Isaac 
Austin, and Philip Delan. 

Lewis Bemis, a brother of three of these 
soldiers, was also from this town, though 
he enlisted from Barnet. His father and 
friends all resided here, and he should 
have a notice here. He belonged to the 
old 4th regiment, which was sent out un- 
der Col. Miller to the then territory of 
Ohio, to look after the Indians who were 
making depredations on the frontier set- 
tlements. At one time they came to the 
dwelling of a Mr. Harriman, (whose wife 
was the daughter of Alexander Parker of 
Montpelier, and sister of Mrs. James Pit- 
kin of this town,) just about an hour after 
the savages had murdered and left him 
and his family.^ They pressed on, but 
failed to overtake the Indians, and soon 
after joined the main body under the infa- 
mous Gen. Hull on its way to Fort Detroit. 
Before arriving at Detroit, Col. Miller saw 
HulPs treachery, and accused him of it, 
and challenged him to fight a duel, both 
before and after their arrival, quite in vain ; 
he surrendered the fort and army without 
firing a gun. In that fort, among our 
men, were a number of British who had 



deserted and joined our army. The next 
morning, and two or three succeeding 
mornings, our army was paraded and the 
British officers walked along and inspected 
it, and when they saw a British soldier, 
he was tapped on the shoulder, and com- 
manded to step out. Where they had 
suspicions, and yet were not certain as to 
their being British subjects, they would 
question them. A number of times Mr. 
Bemis, though he never saw Ireland, was 
asked, " In what town in Ireland were you 
born"? Each time his answer was, " I 
was born in Paxham, in Massachusetts." 
One poor fellow, the first time they came 
round, succeeded in squinting his eyes so 
as fairly to deceive them, and after that 
succeeded in sHpping down an embank- 
ment just in the right time to save his life. 
About 40 of these poor deserters were 
taken out and shot. The army, surren- 
dered by Hull, was then taken to Quebec, 
and confined in a prison-ship on the St. 
Lawrence, where they were allowed but one 
half pint of water per day, though their 
prison was floating on the river, and if any 
one attempted to let down a cup for water, 
he was shot down. Three-fourths of the 
prisoners eventually died from the cruelties 
there received. The rest were eventually 
exchanged. 

Jesse Webster died in Marshfield, 
Oct. 20, 1878, aged 83 years. He was one 
of the Plattsburgh volunteers, and had an 
application for pension pending at the time 
of his death. 

It is not known that any one enlisted 
from this town, in the war with Mexico. 

But when the great rebellion broke out, 
that intensity of feeling which thrilled from 
the prairies of the West to the shores of 
the Atlantic, found an answering tone 
among our hills, and by our firesides. And 
as call after call for reinforcements came, 
the father left his family, the son his pa- 
rents, in many cases, alas ! to return no 
more. 

They came in serried ranks, the boys in blue, 
Who at their country's call no danger knew ; 
Room ! room ! for Marshfield boys, our 
soldiers true. 



MARSHFIELD. 



217 



LIST OF SOLDIERS FURNISHED FOR WAR OF 
THE REBELLION. 

BY GEN. P. P. PITKIN, OF MONTPELIER. 

Alphonso Lessor, Co. D, 2d Reg. Pro. Lt., wd. 
Patrick Mahar, F, 2. Wd. & dis. Oct. 31, 62. 
Alvah H. Miles, F, 2. 
Chauncey Smitii, D, 2. Died of disease in 

army. 
David P. Bent, G, 4. Died ; buried at Wash- 
ington. 
Byron Bullock, G, 4. Died of disease in army. 
Hiram Hall, H, 3. Died. 
John E. Aiken, G, 4. 
Robert A. Spencer, G, 4. 
Edward W. Bradley, F, 6. Wounded. 
Homer Hollister, F, 6. Wounded in hand. 
Asa H. Winch, ist Bat. Died at New Orleans. 
Joshua D. Dunham, 2d Bat. Died at New 

Orleans. 
George W. Nownes, C, First Cav. 
Ira Batchelder, C, First Cav. Wounded. 
Josiah O. Livingston, I, 9. Pro. Capt. Co. G, 

Oct. 19, '64. 
George N. Carpenter, I, 9. Pro. ist. Lieut. 
Benjamin F. Huntington, I, 9. 
Vilas Smith, I, 9. Lost overboard Steamer 

U. S. near Fortress Monroe. 
John Q. Amidon, I, 11. 
Jackson Blodgett, I, 11. Died. 
George H. Wheeler, I, 11. 
Harvey L. Wood, I, 11. Deserted. 
Benj. F. Shephard, Jr., I, 11. Died in Hosp. 

at Montpelier. 
Robert H. Tibbetts, I, 11. Killed in battle. 
Alvah A. Cole, I, 11. 

Elbridge G. Wilson, I, 11. Killed in battle. 
Francis H. Felix, I, 11. Injured in shoulder. 
John W. Huntington, I, 11. 
Lorenzo D. Mallory, C, ist Cav. Pris'nr at 
Andersonville ; exch'd, died on way home. 
William R. Gove, C, ist Cav. 
Charles Nownes, C, ist Ca\\ 
Thaddeus S. Bullock, G, 4. Died in hospital. 
Nathaniel Robinson, G, 4. Ball in hand, 

cannot be extracted. 
Calvin R. Hills, G, 4. Wounded. 
William A. Webster, A, 4, Died at Ander- 
sonville. 
Wesley P. Martin, G, 4. 
David B. Merrill, A, 4. 
Smith Ormsbee, G, 4. Shot on picket, died 

from wound. 
Samuel Wheeler, A, 4. 
John Bancroft, C, Cav. Died. 
Parker S. Dow, C, 8 Regt. 
Frederick H. Turner, H, ii. 
David K. Lucas, 3d Bat. 
Edmund H. Packer, 3d Bat. 
Allen Phelps, Frontier Cav. 
Moses Lamberton, do. do. 
Edward L. Wheeler, do. do. 
Leonard H. Fulsome, do. do. 
Frank L. Batchelder, E, 4 Regt. 
Ira Ainsworth, E, 4. 
Patrick Moore, D, 8. 
Lysander E. Walbridge, E, 8. 
Theron T. Lamphere, E, 8. 
Hiram Graves, K, 2. 
Thomas Witham, K, 2. Died, prisoner. 



28 



George H. Nelson, D, 2. Badly wounded. 

David Powers, D, 2. 

Henry A. Rickard, D, 2. 

Joseph S. M. Benjamin, B, Cav. 

Francis H. Ketchum, C, " Badly wound- 
ed with shell. 

Eri McCrillis, C, Cav. Died at Andersonville. 

Geo. W. Nownes, C, Cav. Died Andersonv'e. 

Cyrus Farnsworth, H, 4 Regt. 

Horace Burnham, C, Cav. 

Charles M. Wing, B, Cav. Leg broken. 

Norman W. Johnson, F, 2 Regt. Ball thro. 

body and wrist, lived. 
John O. Morse, I, 9. Died. 
James H. Carpenter, H, 11. 
John Graves, Jr. H, 1 1. Died at Andersonville. 
Solon H. Preston, H, ii. 
William W. Willey, H, 11. 
Walter H. Morris, G. 3. Wounded. 
Charles H. Newton, G, 4. Wn'ded with shell. 
James Aylward, E, 17. Died. 
John H. Amidon, I, 11. 
Charles T. Clark, E, 17. Died. 
James Clark, C, 17. Died. 
William G. French, E, 17. Died. 
Clark J, Foster, E, 17. Badly wn'ded in leg. 
Benj. F. Huntington, E, 17. 
Daniel Hogan, E, 17. 

Wm. E. Martin, E, 17, ist Lieut.; killed be- 
fore Petersburg. 
Harvey L. Batchelder, C, 13. 
Martin L. Chandler, " " 
Eli S. Pitkin, C, 13. 
Charles A. Davis, C, 13. 
Hudson J. Kibbee, " " 
Sereno W. Gould, " " 
Charles E. Shephard, C, 13. 
Albert Sargeant, C, 13. 
Willard M. Austin, C, 13. 
Orson Woodcock, " " 
Rufus H. Farr, C, 13. 
Benjamin B. Buzzell, C, 13. 
David Huntington, " " 
Joseph Simmons, C, 13. 
Lucius D. Nute, " " 

In 1863 a draft was ordered ; 34 men 
were drafted, but only one, Cottrill Clif- 
ford, went into the service ; 22 paid their 
commutation money. Clifford served his 
time, was discharged, and accidentally 
killed on his way home. I do not findhis^ 
name in our list of soldiers ; probably he 
was put in to fill up some regiment sep- 
arately from our other men. 

There went out 98 from us, 28 of whom 
never returned. A few were brought back 
to be buried, but most of our dead sleep on 
Southern soil. In the vigor of young 
manhood they went, one and another, 
who were household treasures. 

" Tlie loved of all, yet none 

O'er their low bed may weep." 

Perhaps the last news of them was, ' ' seen 
on the battle-field," or " taken prisoner," 



2l8 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and then long months elapsed ere one 
word could be heard to stay the anguish of 
suspense. At last came the fearful, "Died 
at Andersonville." 

MONTPELIER & WELLS RIVER RAILROAD. 

When the history of Marshfield was 
written eleven years ago, we had no rail- 
road. About this time a charter was 
granted for the Montpelier & Wells River 
road, which passes through our town about 
a mile from the village. The town bonded 
itself in the sum of $17,500, and private 
subscriptions made up the sum of $30,000. 
All is paid but about half the bonds. 

The first train of cars went through here 
Nov. 29, 1873. Of course the rejoicing 
was great. 

A year or two later we were connected 
with the rest of the world by telegraph. 
The advantage to the public is not easily 
estimated. The railroad is doing good 
business. L. D. Nute is station agent and 
telegraph operator. A private telegraph 
is owned and run by George A. Putnam 
and L. D. Nute, from the depot to Put- 
nam's store, where the post-office is lo- 
cated. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam are telegraph 
operators. 

THE THANKS OF THE WRITER 

are due to James Pitkin, Andrew English 
and E. S. Pitkin, Esqs., and others, for 
the assistance rendered her in this work ; 
also to Miss Anna Pitkin, of Montpelier, 
for the loan of her father's journal. 



[We have known our excellent historian- 
ess of Marshfield more than 20 years. 
Mrs. Pitkin was a favorite contributor in 
our "Poets and Poetry of Vermont," 
(1858,) in which see from her pen, " The 
Young Emigrant," " The Fugitive Slave," 
pages 333, 334. So well has Mrs. Pitkin 
written for us, and for the Montpelier 
papers in the past, Zion''s Herald and other 
papers, we cannot forbear, not solicited by 
her, but of our own good will, to place a 
little group selected from her poems at the 
foot of her history here — Ed.] 



A THOUGHT. 

B Y MKS. HANNAH C. PITKIN. 

For thee, busy man, in a forest lone 
A slioot hath started, a tree hath grown. 
The axe-man, perchance, may have laid it low 
For thy narrow house— it Is ready now. 
All ready— but mortal, art thou, art thou? 

Maiden, tliy dream of affection so warm. 
Trust not. The shroud to envelop thy form 
Is woven, is coming, by wind or wave; 
' Tis thine, by a stamp which no mortal gave. 
Thou canst not turn from the path to the grave. 

Art thou tolling for wealth, the weary day. 
Or thirsting for fame— there's a pillow of clay 
On a lowly bed, 'tis waiting thee there. 
The mould and the worm thy pillow will share; 
Spirit, Oh, where is thy refuge— Oh, where ? 

TO THE ITINERANT'S WIFE. 
BY MRS. H. C. PITKIN. 
Out on the ocean, dark and wild 

A little bark was driven. 
One kindly star looked out and smiled 

A precious boon from heaven ; 
It warned of threateniug near. 
Just, just in time the rocks to clear. 

I stood upon a point of land 

Where ocean billows came, 
A beauteous wave just kissed the strand. 

Then seaweed swept again. 
'Twas gone, to come again no more. 
But left a gem upon the shore. 

A wanderer lone mid desert's waste, 

Beneath a burning sky. 
Sank down at last despairingly. 

He felt that he must die. 
My Island Home, so dear to me, 
I never, never more may see! 

Oh God I he cried. A tiny flower 

Just caught his closing eye. 
And in its winsome loveliness. 

It seemed to whisper " try." 
God lives, take heart, so o'er the main 
He found his Island Home again. 

So sister, like the star be thine 

To bless the tempest driven. 
And point to poor despairing ones 

The narrow way to Heaven. 
And in the wanderer's darkest hour, 
Sweetly to win him like the flower. 

In blessing be thou ever blest. 

Cheer age, and counsel youth. 
And ever where thy pathway lies. 

Scatter the gems of truth. 
And hear, when Death is lost in Life 
Blessings on the Itinerant's Wife. 

FROM AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF 
MARSHFIELD. 

CONTRIBUTED BY REV. GEO. E. FORBES IN 1879. 

[After the Legislature of Vermont had 
approbated and passed the General Res- 
olutions of 1878, to assist in finishing this 
work, the MS. history of Mi-s. Pitkin, fur- 
nished to us for the work in 1869, having 



MARSHFIELD. 



219 



been sent to the Claremont Manufacuring 
Company of New Hampshire, and by them 
withheld four years, with the other Wash- 
ington County papers sent, under their 
proposition 10 immediately print. We 
wrote to Mrs. Pitkin for a duplicate of her 
history. Unable, from the infirmities of 
her age and feebleness, from fully under- 
taking to so do, she engaged the assist- 
ance of Rev. Mr. Forbes, who gave us a 
very reliable and pleasant paper of about 
half the length of Mrs. Pitkin's paper, with 
which we were pleased and should have 
published, had we not fortunately mean- 
time recovered Mrs. Pitkin's papers, which 
as they are the fullest record, as she was 
first invited to write, and is so eminently 
a Washington County woman, daughter 
of old Gen. Parley Davis, of Montpelier, 
and a long-time honored and beloved res- 
ident of Marshfield, we are assured no 
other writer could be so acceptable to 
Marshfield, and none other to the County, 
and so have given the papers of Mrs. Pit- 
kin in full, nearly; and will here but ap- 
pend a few extracts from the paper by Mr. 
Forbes, containing information or points 
in it not in Mrs. Pitkin's paper; while we 
feel to express under the circumstances 
more thanks to Mr. Forbes than if able to 
give his paper more fully — Ed.] 

Marshfield is situated in the eastern part 
of the County, and lies on both sides ot 
the Winooski river, which flows through it 
from north to south. The soil is a mix- 
ture of clay and loam ; the surface broken 
and hilly, is divided into productive farms. 
The river valley, and that part of the town 
lying west of it, contains the best tillage 
land, which has very largely been brought 
under cultivation. The eastern part, more 
rocky, is used principally for pasturage ; 
although in the eastern part in some sec- 
tions there are some good farms. 

The original forests were heavy timbered 
with maple, beech, birch, spruce and hem- 
lock, and some elm, fir, cedar and pine. 
In the eastern part there yet remains a 
considerable growth of spruce and hem- 
lock, but it is rapidly being cut off for lum- 
ber. Sugar-maples are to be found in all 
parts of the town, producing quite as 
abundantly of sugar as in any other part of 
New England. 

Besides the Winooski river privileges 
there are two or three streams which fur- 
nish good water-power the larger part of 



the year. It has not been utilized to any 
large extent, however, hence the town is 
not noted for its manufacturing interests. 
Molly's Falls, on Molly's brook, about a 
mile from the village, in a distance of 30 
rods the water falls between 200 and 300 
feet in a series of beautiful cascades. 
During high water the roar of these falls 
can be heard for several miles. A good 
view of these falls can be obtained from 
the road leading to Cabot. There is also 
a very pretty cascade on Nigger-head 
brook, about a third of a mile south of the 
village, where it is crossed by the road 
leading to the depot. The town has only 
one village, which is situated on the 
Winooski river, about a mile from the 
Cabot line. The Montpelier & Wells 
River R. R. crosses the town, running 
nearly parallel with the river from Plain- 
field until within a mile of the village, 
when it makes almost a right angle to the 
east, passing Nigger-head pond, and thread- 
ing its way through a notch in the moun- 
tains to the Connecticut river. The Marsh- 
field station on this road is one mile from 
the village, and 15 miles from Montpelier. 

It is not known what white men first 
visited the town's location. This town- 
ship was purchased of the Stockbridge 
Indians, (see Mrs. Pitkin's paper,) but it 
is not certain whether these Indians ever 
occupied this territory. At the time of the 
purchase by Mr. Marsh, they were resi- 
dents of New Stockbridge, Montgomery 
Co., N. Y. 

When the first settlers picked their 
dwelling-places, Mr. Pitkin settled upon 
the river near the place where Bowman P. 
Martin now resides ; Messrs. Dodge and 
Spencer settled further south and west on 
the higher land. Here was the birth-place 
of the first child born in town, a son to 
Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Dodge, Sept. 17, 
1794, the place of his birth about a mile 
north of Plainfield village ; the place is 
still owned by descendants of the Dodge 
family. 

The first " burying-ground " was pur- 
chased by, and for the use of the town. 
The first interment therein that has a stone 
to mark the spot was the infant twin sons 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of Joshua and Ruth Pitkin, died January 
9, 1800. Stephen Pitkin, Jr., donated the 
land for the village cemetery, and the first 
interment in it was his adopted daughter, 
Eunice Sweeny. 

There have been five church organiza- 
tions in town. At present there are but 
three, as the Christian, and Calvinistic 
Baptist have become extinct. There have 
been 1 1 school districts in town. The pres- 
ent number is 10, each of which has a 
school of from 20 to 30 weeks per year. 
The school in village district has two de- 
partments, but employs two teachers only 
during the winter term, as a rule. The 
town has no academy, but competent 
teachers hold select schools at frequent 
intervals, affording educational facilities 
for those wishing to remain in town. And 
the seminaries at Montpelier and Barre, as 
well as academies in the vicinity, have 
drawn a considerable number of students 
from this town. There are but two per- 
sons, however, from this town who have 
received a full collegiate education. Rev. 
Marcus M. Carleton, missionary in India, 
and Prof. Curtis C. Gove, Principal of 
High School at Westport, N. Y. 

The principal business of the town has 
been, and still is, farming. At present 
there is but little manufacturing being done. 
There is i boot-shop for making men's thick 
boots and overshoes, 2 harness-shops, i 
tin-shop, I photograph saloon, 2 cooper- 
shops, where are manufactured butter and 
sugar-tubs, and sap-buckets. Six saw- 
mills, one clap-board and three shingle 
mills. Two of the saw-mills are run by 
steam ; the rest by water-power ; one 
cheese-factory, and i starch factory. There 
is I blacksmith shop, 2 wheelwright shops, 
and 3 carpenter-shops, There is a hotel, 
and a patent medicine laboratory. There 
are 3 stores, and 3 churches. The town 
cannot boast of a lawyer. It has 3 doctors, 
Asa Phelps and George^ M. Town, allo- 
pathic; J. Q. A. Packer, homoeopathic. 

The town representatives from 1870 to 
1879 have been: Moody Bemis, George 
A. Putnam, L. W. Pitkin, D. M. Perkins. 

The poixilation in 1840, was 1,156; in 
1850, 1,102; in i860, 1, 160; in 1870, 



1,072. The decrease which the census of 
1870 shows, is doubtless owing to the 
abandonment of some of the smaller and 
most unproductive farms, and the Western 
emigration of many of the younger men. 

LEWIS BEMIS. 

There are a few pensioners of the war of 
1812 yet living. One of the soldiers of 
this war, Lewis Bemis, enlisted at Barnet 
in 1808. His son, Daniel H. Bemis, of 
Lancaster, Mass., writes of him : "He 
enlisted, at Barnet in 1808, and served 5 
years in the 4th Reg't. of Regular U. S. 
Infantry. He was with Harrison in his 
march through the wilds of Ohio in pur- 
suit of the Indians, and was in the battle 
of Tippecanoe, when over half of the men 
in his company were killed or wounded. 
The man on either side was killed, and he 
was slightly wounded in the face by a rifle 
ball. He was in 11 battles and 13 skir- 
mishes with the Indians. He used to re- 
late to his children the story of the sol- 
diers' sufferings while on their march to 
join Hull, and through Ohio ; how their 
thirst was so intense, that when they 
reached Lake Erie, in spite of their offi- 
cers, large numbers threw themselves on 
the beach, and drank until they died from 
the effects of it. He was under Hull when 
he surrendered at Maiden, near Detroit, 
and was a prisoner 26 weeks, during which 
time he suffered greatly, both for want of 
water and decent food. Their bread, he 
used to say, bore the mark on the package 
in which it was enclosed, 1804. He was 
paroled, and went from Halifax to Boston, 
where he arrived a few days before the 
term of his enlistment expired. He soon 
after enlisted again in a Company of Light 
Artillery, with which he went up and joined 
Gen. Macomb's army the day before the 
battle of Plattsburg. A part of the bat- 
tery was stationed at the bridge-head at 
Plattsburg, and the remainder sent to Bur- 
lington, to prevent the British from land- 
ing and destroying that place. He was 
with that portion of the battery sent to 
Burlington, and so did not have any active 
part in the battle ; but assisted in burying 
the dead. He was one of the party who 



MARSHFIELD. 



buried the British dead after the engage- 
ment. He was discharged after peace 
was ratified, having served in all about 6 
years and 6 months ; 5 years under the 
first enlistment in the 4th Infantry, and 18 
months in the Light Battery. He died in 
1855, at Clinton, Mass., where he is buried, 
aged 7;^:' 

IRA SMITH. 

BY REV. GEORGE E. FORBES. 

He was the son of Joshua and Keturah 
Smith; was born in Woodstock, Conn., 
Jan. 22, 1800. At II years, he came with 
his parents to Marshfield. They moved 
on to the farm now owned and occupied 
by J. E. Eddy. During his minority, Ira 
worked on the farm summers and attended 
school winters until he was 1,8. The school- 
house then stood near the present resi- 
dence of Webster Haskins. Soon after 
there was a school-house erected where 
the village now stands, in which he taught 
the first school. He was paid in grain, to 
the value of $12 per month, boarding him- 
self. In 1821, he purchased 300 acres of 
wild land lying around the present site of 
the Marshfield depot, which he cleared, 
and cultivated 15 acres, spending apart of 
his time there, and the balance in working 
out, until he was 29, when, Jan. 4, 1829, 
he was married to Hannah Jacobs, and 
they settled at first on his cleared land, 
but a short time after, as he purchased, and 
they removed to, the home of his parents, 
where they lived 11 years. For about 4 
years after selling the home farm, he 
rented different places, but in 1844, pur- 
chased a farm on which the remainder of 
his life was spent. He died Sept. 18, 1880, 
leaving a widow, one son, Orrin, who lives 
on the homestead, and two daughters, now 
Mrs. Levi Benton, of Marshfield, and Mrs. 
C. H. Newton, of Montpelier. One son 
died in the army, and a daughter married 
E. B. Dwinell, but died a few years after, 
and 4 children died quite young. Mr. 
Smith held many of the town ofiices, being 
regarded by the citizens as a man of worth 
and integrity. He represented the town 
in the Legislature during 1844-5. In pol- 
itics he was a Democrat, and never failed 
by his vote to express his faith in the doc- 



trines of his party. His last public act 
was to rise from the sick bed to which he 
had been confined for several da3's, and go 
to the polls to deposit his ballot for the 
several State officers. He believed in the 
vital principles of religion, but in accord- 
ance with the general character of the 
man, his faith found expression in deeds 
rather than in word. In religious sym- 
pathy he was a Universalist, and gave his 
influence and means to promote the inter- 
ests of that society in town. His morals 
were always above reproach. He was 
temperate in deed and in word ; drank no 
intoxicating liquors, no tea or coffee, and 
never used tobacco in any form ; was fru- 
gal and industrious, and consequently was 
enabled to acquire a good property, while 
generously responding to many calls for 
the promotion of educational and benev- 
olent enterprises. 

He possessed an indomitable will and 
wonderful endurance from the time that he 
hired out as a laborer, at 9 years of age, 
until he abandoned active toil, a short 
time before his death. He met all duties 
with a manly spirit, and evinced his willing- 
ness to obey the primal law of life — labor. 
He had a remarkably strong constitution, 
and when his "golden wedding" was cel- 
ebrated in 1879, he seemed nearly as hale 
and hearty as a man of 60 years, though 
even then there were premonitory symp- 
toms of the disease which caused his death. 
For nearly 2 years he suffered from a 
cancer on the lower lip, and during the 
latter half of this time, especially, did he 
endure extreme pain and inconvenience in 
taking food. But under all these trials he 
exhibited great fortitude, and died re- 
signed to his Maker's will. His funeral 
was attended by a large concourse of cit- 
izens besides the numerous relatives, thus 
testifying of the esteem in which he was 
held by the entire community. The fun- 
eral services were brief; no formal eulogy 
was pronounced ; his life had preached its 
sermon, and with a few words of comfort 
to the bereaved ones, the last sad rites 
were ended, and the body of this worthy 
man was borne to its final resting-place ^ 
His age was 81 years. "Though dead, he 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



yet speaketh," in his good, solid, practical 
life. 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

CONTINUED. 

The Rev. Geo. E. Forbes continued as 
pastor until May, i88o. For i year suc- 
ceeding this date the church had only oc- 
casional preaching services, and during 
this time its numbers were diminished by 
the death of two members. In May, 1881, 
the Rev. Eli Ballou, D. D., was engaged 
as pastor for one-half the time. This en- 
gagement continues at present, (Aug. 18, 
1881.) 

MARSHFIELD VOTED FOR THE GAZETTEER 

at the town-meeting held March 4, 1879, 
to send a subscription to Miss Hemenway 
for the whole work, attested by E. L. 
Smith, town clerk. 



MIDDLESEX. 

BY STEPHEN HERRICK, ESQ. 

The town of Middlesex was chartered 
June 8, 1763, by Benning Wentworth, 
Esq., then Governor of the Province of 
New Hampshire, to the following grantees : 
Jacob Rescaw, Benjamin Crane, 3d, Seth 
Trow, Richard Johnson, Lawrence Eg- 
bert, Jr., James Campbell, David Ogden, 
Matthias Ross, Jonathan Skinner, Jehial 
Ross, Ebenezer Canfield, Daniel Ogden, 
Jonathan Dayton, Jr., Lawrence Egbert, 
Samuel Crowell, William Bruce, Robert 
Earl, Patridge Thacher, Joshua Horton, 
Job Wood, George Ross, Cornelius Lud- 
low, Nathaniel Barrett, Esq., Jeremiah 
Mulbard, John Roll, Jr., Joseph New- 
march, Nathaniel Little, Henry Earl, 
Richard Jennee, Esq., Gilbert Ogden, John 
Little, George Frost, Daniel Ball, Samuel 
Little, 3d, David Morehouse, Jr., Thomas 
Woodruff, John Force, Joseph Raggs, Jr., 
Capt. Isaac Woodruff, Daniel P. Eunice, 
Jacob Brookfield, Jonathan Dayton, 3d, 
Isaac Winors, Samuel Meeker, Jr., David 
Loomeris, John Cory. Jr., Alexander Car- 
miea, David Bonnel, James Seward, Ste- 
phen Potter, Nathaniel Potter, Stephen 
Wilcocks, Thomas Dean, Jonas Ball, Amos 
Day, John David Lamb, William Lamb, 
William Brand, James Colie, Jr., William 
Hand, Robert French, Samuel Crowell, 
Jonathan Woodruff, Ezekiel Ball, Aaron 
Barnett. 

THOMAS MEAD AND THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

The first settler in this town 20 years 
subsequent to the above date made his first 



settlement here. Having succeeded in 
finding one of the best lots of land in 
Washington County, on the Onion River, 
5 miles from Montpelier village, here Mr. 
Thomas Mead made his excellent location. 
The second settler, Jonah Harrington, 
chose his location about 2^ miles from 
Montpelier on a superior lot of land. 
Seth Putnam came soon after with three 
brothers, Ebenezer, Jacob and Isaac, who 
were soon followed by Ephraim Willey, 
Ebenezer Woodbury, Ira Hawks, Solomon 
Lewis, Samuel Mann, Isaac Bidwell, Henry 
Perkins, Daniel Harrington, Samuel Mon- 
tague, Nathaniel Carpenter, Daniel Smith, 
Hubbard Willey, Asa Harrington, Joseph 
Chapin, William Holden, Lovewell War- 
ren, Jesse Johnson, Joseph Hubbard, 
David Harrington, Jonathan Fisher, Isaac 
Bidwell, Oliver Atherton, Robert McElroy, 
Nathan Huntley. 

organization of the town. 
Copy of a record in the town clerk's of- 
fice in Middlesex : 
To Seth Piitna7ii, Esq.: — 

Sir — We, the Inhabitants of the town 
of Middlesex, petition your honor to grant 
a Warrant for the purpose of calling a 
town-meeting in said town of Middlesex 
on Monday, the 29 of March instant, at 
ten of the clock in the morning, for the 
purpose of Organization of said Town. 
Edmond Holden, 
Levi Putnam, 
Samuel Harris, 
Isaac Putnam. 
Chittenden, March isth, 1790. 

In pursuance of the foregoing Petition, By 
the authority of the state of Vermont, you 
are hereby directed to warn all the free- 
Holders and other inhabitants of the town 
of Middlesex to meet at the dwelling-house 
of Seth Putnam, Esq., in said Middlesex, 
on Monday, the 29th day of March Instant, 
at ten of the clock in the morning. Firstly 
to choose a moderator to govern said 
meeting. 

2dly, to choose a town Clerk, Select- 
men, Town treasurer, and all other Town 
officers according to Law, and of your do- 
ings herein make due return according to 
Law. 

Given under my hand at said Middlesex, 
this 15th day of March, A. D., 1790. 

To Levi Putnam, freeholder of the Town 
of Middlesex. Seth Putnam, 

Justice of the Peace. 



MIDDLESEX. 



223 



Served the within Warrant by notifying 
the inhabitants by setting up a true copy 
at my dwelling house in Middlesex. 

March i6th, 1790. 

Levi Putnam, Freeholder. 

,Mar. 29, 1790, According to within war- 
rant being met, made choice of Levi Put- 
nam, Modera'r ; Seth Putnam, Town Clerk ; 
Thomas Mead, Levi Putnam and Seth 
Putnam, selectmen ; Edmond Holden, con- 
stable and collector of taxes ; Lovewell 
Warren, Town Treasurer ; Jonas Harring- 
ton, Surveyor. Attest, 

Seth Putnam, T. C. 

Recorded May 7th, 1790. 

I find by the records in the town clerk's 
office that the honorable Seth Putnam was 
chosen to represent the town of Middlesex 
on the first day of September, 1807, and 
that the number of votes cast for repre- 
sentative was 30. The general reader will 
at first think it strange, to say the least, 
that the town had no representative till 1 7 
years after its organization ; but may re- 
member Vermont was not admitted into 
the Union until Feb. 1791. 

Samuel Mann, one of the first settlers 
of the town, bought two lots of land 3 
miles N. E. of Middlesex village. I bought 
the same lots Oct. 19, 1820, at which time 
I commenced an acquaintance with the in- 
habitants of Middlesex. I came into the 
town with my family Mar. 16, 1821. The 
venerable Thomas Mead was then very 
far advanced in years, and had a great 
number of children and grand-children. 
His son Thomas, and grand-son Thomas, 
lived in his house, and also Jacob Morris, 
who married his daughter, making. in all 
four families. Mr. Thomas Mead was a 
church-going man and was much respected. 
There was no meeting-house in town until 
several years after I came, except a small 
house of one story, which was built by a 
very upright and benevolent man, 

SAMUEL HASKINS, 

who built it at his own expense to present 
to the Methodist church, which was then 
in a prosperous state here. He owned a 
saw-mill and grist-mill, and an oil-mill. 
While he was grinding large cakes of oil- 
meal, one of the stones, 6 feet or more in 
diameter, broke away from the axle-tree or 
shaft, and threw him backward against the 



oil-trough, and broke both of his legs. 
The stone which remained attached to the 
axle-tree rolled around swiftly against the 
other, crushing them nearly oiT, until the 
sufferer was released by a neighbor, who 
took away the stone and conveyed him to 
his house. Two physicians were soon in 
attendance ; both limbs were taken off, but 
the good man's sufferings soon ceased, 
and he passed away calmly. I was stand- 
ing by to behold the solemn sight, and 
could truly say : 

"How still and peaceful Is tlie grave 
When life's vain tumult all is passed; 

The appointed house by Heaven's decree 
Receives us all at last." 

After the death of this generous man, 
the house was changed from a meeting- 
house to a dwelling-house, and thus re- 
mains. It stands near the S. E. corner of 
the town cemetery, owned and occupied 
by a grand-daughter of the deceased and 
her husband. 

LOVEWELL WARREN, 

one of the first settlers, was town treasurer 
in 1790. He was much esteemed by his 
neighbors. Leander Warren, a son of 
Lovewell, represented the town several 
times, and was much esteemed by his 
townsmen. Rufus Warren, a son of Le- 
ander, has also represented the town. 

HON. SETH PUTNAM 

had 3 sons. Holden, the oldest, repre- 
sented the town several times. Roswell, 
the second, was an estimable citizen, much 
esteemed, and the reverend George Put- 
nam was a minister of the Gospel, much 
esteemed. Hon. Seth Putnam made the 
town a present by deeding to the town a 
small lot of land for a cemetery, where his 
remains and the remains of a part of his 
family are buried. Their graves are en- 
closed by an iron fence. Almost all the 
first settlers of Middlesex were living here 
when I came. I think the number of men 
was about 210 who were heads of families, 
and they have all passed away from earth. 

WILLIAM HOLDEN, 

one of the first settlers, bought a lot of 
land about li miles from the village, the 



224 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



farm now owned by William B. McElroy. 
Mr. Holden had 5 sons, Horace, William, 
Xerxes, Moses and Philander. Horace 
Holden, chosen town clerk in March, 1820, 
held the office 32 years. At the end of 32 
years, his son, William H. Holden, was 
chosen, and held the office ig years. C. 
B. Holden, a son of Horace, held the office 
from March, 1873, to the time of his death, 
July 25, 1878, and James H. Holden ap- 
pointed July 27, 1878, by the selectmen; 
held the office until September 3, 1878. 
Horace, William, Xerxes, Moses and C. 
B. Holden represented the town several 
times each, and have all passed away, and 
William H. Holden has also passed away. 

JOSEPH CHAPIN 

was born Oct. 28, 1758. His son, Joseph 
Chapin, Jr., was born June 25, in Weathers- 
field, Vt., in 1792. Joseph Chapin, Sr., 
settled in Middlesex when the town was 
quite new ; his .son, Joseph Chapin, Jr., 
was a farmer, and by industry and good 
economy, acquired a very handsome prop- 
erty for his children, and left a good name. 
His wife passed away many years before 
his departure. She was sister to Horace 
Holden. Joseph Chapin, Sr., lived to the 
age of 96 years, and was esteemed by all 
who knew him. 

Joseph Chapin, Jr., had 2 sons. Hink- 
ley, the oldest, was killed instantly. He 
was a brakeman on the cars, and received 
the fatal blow when passing through or 
under a bridge. William Chapin, his son, 
still survives and has held many important 
offices in town. 

The Chapin family own lots in our beau- 
tiful cemetery, and the remains of their 
loved ones are deposited there. One of 
Joseph Chapin, Jr's., daughters, with her 
husband, Otis Leland, are living in sight 
of our beautiful cemetery, where they often 
visit the graves of their departed friends — 
their son, their parents and grand-parents, 
and brother who was killed on the cars. 

JEREMIAH LELAND, 

one of the first settlers, removed from 
Charlestown, N. H. He died soon after, 
I came to Middlesex, respected by all who 
knew him ; left 3 sons, Rufus, James and 



Jeremiah, all of whom have long since 
passed away, esteemed by all, and their 
remains are deposited in our cemetery, 
with the remains of all their partners in 
life. James, son of Jeremiah, was never 
married. Jeremiah, Jr., has left 4 sons, all 
now living, two of whom have represented 
the town, and Rufus has left two sons, 
who are now living, worthy men, much 
esteemed. 

EBENEZER PUTNAM, 

a brother of Col. Seth Putnam, was a man 
about 50 years of age when I came to live 
in Middlesex, in 1821. He was a very 
pleasant, social man, and worked with me 
to score timber for a barn. His son, Rus- 
sel, hewed the timber. Soon after, Russel 
was taken sick. I visited him several 
times. His sufferings were very great be- 
fore he passed away. He left several 
daughters and one son, whose name was 
Holden, who was a sheriff of good repute, 
and enlisted in the last war, and lost his 
life in the defence of his country. 

JACOB PUTNAM, 

another brother of Col. Seth Putnam, set- 
tled on a branch of Onion river in Middle- 
sex, about 5 miles above Montpelier vil- 
lage. I became acquainted with him soon 
after I came to the town. He was a man 
of good understanding. I was associated 
with him and Nathaniel Carpenter in mak- 
ing an appraisal of all the real estate in 
Middlesex soon after I came. He died 
many years since. His son, C. C. Put- 
nam, and C. C. Putnam, Jr., are persever- 
ing men and good citizens. 

Isaac Putnam, another brother of Seth 
Putnam, lived in Montpelier, and passed 
away to the spirit life, leaving a good name 
and a respectable posterity. 

NATHANIEL CARPENTER 

was one of the first settlers ; voted for town 
representative in September, 1807; was 
town clerk in all 9 years, and a justice of 
the peace, I think, 30 years, or more. He 
died in the winter of 1837. In 1821, when 
I came to live here, he lived one mile from 
our village and 5 miles from Montpelier 
village. He had 4 sons by a second mar- 



MIDDLESEX. 



22 ^ 



riage ; two or more by a previous marriage ; 
his four last sons were, N. M. Carpenter, 
Don P. Carpenter, and Heman and Al- 
bert. Don P. Carpenter has been one 
of the side judges of Washington Coun- 
ty Court, and Heman, judge of Wash- 
ington County Probate Court, and N. M. 
Carpenter is a respectable and successful 
farmer. I know less of Albert, as he set- 
tled in a distant state. 

CAPT. ROBERT MCELROY, 

one of the first settlers, lived 2 miles from 
Middlesex village. His family were an 
aged mother, who emigrated from Scotland, 
his wife, 4 sons and 3 daughters. Ira, the 
oldest son, died single ; Harry, the second 
son, had 3 sons, Clesspn R. and H. L. Mc- 
Elroy, and Wm. B. McElroy. Lewis had 
2 sons and Jeremiah 2 sons, in all, 7 
grandsons. Capt. Robert McElroy and 
wife, mother and 4 sons, have passed 
away. Harry McElroy's third son, Wm. 
B. McElroy, was chosen town clerk, Sept. 
3, 1878. 

It will be observed by this that Capt. 
Robert McElroy has left a good record. 
In addition to the above I think it is my 
duty to state that Harry McElroy's eldest 
son, Clesson R. McElroy, was a lieutenant 
in the army and a valiant officer, held in 
high esteem by both officers and soldiers, 
and Harry McElroy's second son, H. L. 
McElroy, has been superintendent of com- 
mon schools in Middlesex for several years, 
and as such highly esteemed. 

JESSE JOHNSON 

was one of the first settlers, and voted for 
representative in 1807. He was far ad- 
vanced in life in 1820. His son, Jesse 
Johnson, Jr., was a man in the prime of 
life, and lived about 50 years after 1820, 
and was for many years associated with 
Mo.ses Holden, his son-in-law, in trade. 
They were esteemed by all who knew 
them, were good economists, and accumu- 
lated a large property, and have passed 
away. They have left no son to perpetuate 
their names. 

EPHRAIM WILLEY 

was one of the first settlers, and had 2 
sons, Hubbard and Benjamin, who were in 

29 



the prime of life in 1820. They have all 
passed away ; but have left a great number 
of children and grand-children to perpet- 
uate their memory, all of whom are re- 
spectable citizens, even as their fathers 
and grandfathers before them were. 

RUFUS CHAMBERLIN, ESQ., 

one of the first settlers, was in 1821 a man 
far advanced in life, and had then living 5 
sons and 3 daughters. His oldest son, 
Clesson, died in Massachusetts. Oliver 
A. Chamberlin, the second son, and A. 
L. Chamberlin, the fourth, are still liv- 
ing. Rufus Chamberiin, Esq., and wife, 
2 daughters and 3 sons, have passed from 
this life, but not without leaving children 
and grandchildren to perpetuate their 
memory, though most of the grandchildren 
have passed away. I will name a few : 
Wm. H. Holden, C. B. Holden, Martha 
Holden ; children of Horace Holden and 
his wife, Mary Chamberlin, and Mary, also 
a daughter of Oliver A. ChamberHn. Our 
town clerk is a son of Harry McElroy and 
his wife, Mary Ann, dau. of Rufus Cham- 
berlin, both of whom have passed away. 

MERCHANTS AND STORES, 1879. 

We have three stores in Middlesex vil- 
lage, one owned and occupied by Benja- 
min Barrett and James H. Holden, one by 
J. Q. Hobart, and one by N. King Her- 
rick, all doing a good business without 
danger of failing. Our merchants are as 
reliable as those of Montpelier, and I choose 
to patronize them. 

We have at this date, Jan. 1879, no 
physician in town. Nearly all of the peo- 
ple of Middlesex employ the physicians 
who live in Montpelier village. 

MEETING-HOUSES AND CHURCHES. 

We have three meeting-houses, all good ; 
one good brick one in the village, near the 
passenger depot, one built of wood in the 
center of the town, and another of wood in 
the small village denominated Shady Rill. 
They are all kept* well painted and in good 
repair. The one in Middlesex village is 
now occupied by the Methodists one-half 
of the time, and seldom at any other time, 
and it is about the same as to the house in 
the center of the town. The meeting- 



226 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



house in Shady Rill was built about 30 
years ago, by the Freewill Baptists, and it 
is occupied by those who built it, and their 
posterity. There was a Congregational 
church in this town when the brick meeting- 
house was built, but there is not now. I 
think it passed away about 1845. The 
Methodist church has about 36 members 
at this time. The Freewill Baptist church, 

1 think, is about the same as to numbers. 
The Methodist denomination own a 

good and well-finished parsonage house 
and out-buildings, all well arranged, near 
the brick meeting-house in Middlesex. 

MICAH HATCH 

was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, 
and was an early settler of Middlesex. 
He bought two or more good lots of land, 
4 miles north of Montpelier village. He 
had 2 sons, Micah and David ; David had 

2 sons, Zenas and Gardner. Zenas was 
drafted and lost his life in defence of his 
country. A daughter of Micah Hatch 
was the mother of the Hon. Zenas Upham, 
one of the side judges of Orange County 
Court in 1878. 

SOLOMON LEWIS 

was an early settler of Middlesex, and set- 
tled on the North branch of Onion river, 
6 miles north of Montpelier village. Wil- 
liam Lewis, a son of Solomon, owned and 
occupied the farm for many years, and said 
farm is now owned by Lathrop Lewis, a 
son of the late William Lewis. I could 
say much in commendation of Mr. Sol- 
omon Lewis and his son William, and of 
his grandson, Lathrop, all of whom have 
been good citizens. 

EZRA CUSHMAN 

was one of the early settlers, a respectable 
merchant, and associated as such with 
Theophilus Cushman, his nephew, in trade 
in Middlesex village in the early settlement 
of the town, was a man in whom the people 
all had the utmost confidence. He mar- 
ried a daughter of Hon. Seth Putnam. 
Their son, the Rev. Lewis Cushman, a 
Methodist minister much esteemed, has 
been engaged in the ministry more than 30 
years, previous to 1879. 



CAPT. ZERAH HILLS 

was one of the early settlers of this town. 
He had 3 sons, Lorenzo, Justin and Zerah. 
Zerah built the house above described, 
and had it very nearly completed when the 
Rebel war commenced, and he enlisted in 
defence of our country, and died in its de- 
fence June 25, 1863, lamented by all who 
knew him. 

COL. HUTCHINS 

was one of the early settlers of Middlesex. 
He had two sons, Timothy and Solomon. 
Solomon married a sister of ex-Governor 
Paul Dillingham. Solomon Hutchins kept 
a public house in Middlesex village when 
the town was quite new. I think the 
house was the first public house kept in 
Middlesex. Solomon Hutchins and his 
immediate family have long since passed 
away, but leaving a respectable posterity 
of children, grandchildren and great 
grandchildren. 
March, 1879. 

MIDDLESEX CONCLUDED. 
BY VOLNKY V. VAUGIIX, ESQ. 

The township, situated on the north 
side of the Wmooski river, 30 miles from 
the mouth of the river at Burlington, lat. 
44°, 20', long. 4°, 2', is bounded N. by 
Worcester, E. by East Montpelier and 
Montpelier, S. by Berlin and Moretown, 
from which it is separated by the Winooski, 
and W. by Waterbury. 

The N. H. charter, by Wentworth, was 
granted " by command of His Excellency, 
King George III., in the third year of his 
reign," and provides : 

The township of Middlesex, lying on 
the east side of French or Onion river, so 
called, shall be six miles square and no 
more, containing 23,040 acres. 

The first meeting for the choice of town 
officers shall be held on the 26th day of 
July next, to be notified and presided over 
by Capt. Isaac Woodruff, and that the an- 
nual meeting forever hereafter for the 
choice of officers for said town shall be on 
the second Tuesday of March, annnally. 

The town was to be divided into 71 
equal shares ; each one of the 65 propri- 
etors to whom it was granted to hold one 
share, and 6 shares as usual in the N. H. 
charters for the Governor's right, the ben- 



MIDDLESEX. 



227 



efit of the Gospel and schools. The Gov- 
ernor's land was a tract of 500 acres in the 
S. W. corner of the town. 

The council of New York established 
the county of Gloucester in 1770, which 
included this town, and the first record of 
a proprietors' meeting found in our town 
records commences : 

A meeting of the proprietors of the 
Township of Middlesex, on Onion River, 
in the Province of New York, holden at 
the dwellijig-house of Samuel Canfield, 
Esq., in New Milford, Conn., on Tuesday, 
ye tenth day of May, 1770. 

At this meeting Partridge Thatcher, of 
New Milford, was chosen moderator, and 
Samuel Averill, of Kent, clerk. 

It was voted to "lay out said township 
and lot one division of 100 acres to each 
right," and Samuel Averill was chosen 
agent to agree with a surveyor and chain- 
bearers to do the business. It was voted 
to lay a tax of $3 per right, to pay the ex- 
pense of surveying, and Partridge Thatcher 
and Samuel Averill laid out the ist division 
as above vo^ed. 

The proprietors held a meeting at Kent, 
Apr. 13, 1773, Samuel Averill, Jr., clerk. 
Voted $2.50 per riglit instead of the $3.00 
voted before to pay the expense of the 
surveys. 

Oct. 14, 1774, Samuel Averill, Jr., col- 
lector, sold 8 lots of land at public auc- 
tion, to satisfy unpaid taxes voted as above. 
Partridge Thatcher and Samuel Averill, 
Jr., bid off 4 lots each, at ;^i 2s., N. Y. 
money, per lot. 

The first deed of Middlesex lands re- 
corded is from Samuel Averill, Jr., to 
Samuel Averill of 5 full rights, dated Kent, 
Litchfield Co., Dec. 30, 1774, and ac- 
knowledged before Wm. Cogswell, justice 
of the' peace. 

The first proprietors' meeting held in 
Vermont was at Sunderland, Oct. 13, 1783, 
Isaac Hitchcock, proprietors' clerk, and the 
2d and 3d division of lands were made, and 
surveys recorded Feb. 9, 1786. 

The first proprietors' meeting held in 
Middlesex was at the house of Lovell War- 
ren, Aug. 14, 1787. Choice was made of 
Seth Putnam, proprietors' clerk, and ad- 
journed until Nov. 5, same year, and at 



this adjourned meeting it was claimed that 
all former surveys or pretended surveys 
had been made inaccurately, that some of 
the lots had been laid out within the limits 
of Montpelier, that proprietors could not 
find their lots, etc., and it was " Resolved 
to hold null and void all fomier surveys or 
pretended surveys." 

It was voted to lay out the ist, 2d and 
4th divisions in 69 lots each, of 104 acres 
in a lot, the 4 acres beingallowed for high- 
ways. Where the village now stands, 30 
acres wer^ reserved for a mill privilege, 
and 104 acres of the pine lands just east- 
erly of the mill site for the first mill- 
builder, if he built a mill within 12 months. 
This reservation was the 3d, called the 
white-pine division, which was laid out in 
about I -acre lots, and divided among the 
proprietors the same as the other divisions. 
The 1st, 2d and 3d divisions were allotted 
in 1787 and '88, and- surveys recorded in 
September, 1788. Allotted by Gen. Parley 
Davis, surveyor ; Isaac Putnam, hind- 
chainman ; Jacob Putnam, fore-chainman. 
The 4th division was allotted by Gen. 
Davis in 1798. 

This allotting, if accurately surveyed, 
would cover 22,162 acres, which would 
leave 878 acres undivided land, of which 
each proprietor would own an equal share. 
This land, which is north-easterly of the 
Governor's right, has been taken up or 
"pitched" from time to time, until it is 
all claimed on titles of original rights. 

By an act of the legislature, approved 
Oct. 30, 1850, so much of the town as is 
contained in lots numbering 50, 55, 56,57, 
58, 63 and 64, and so much of the undi- 
vided land as lies westerly of a line com- 
mencing at the most south-easterly corner 
of lot number 64, and running south 36° 
west and parallel with the original line be- 
tween Waterbury and Middlesex to the 
Governor's right, so called ; thence on the 
line of the Governor's right to the original 
town line, was annexed to the town of 
Waterbury, which leaves about 22, 000 acres 
as the present area of Middlesex. 

The change in the town line was made 
to benefit a few families who lived in the 
west part of the town who could more con- 



228 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



veniently attend meetings and go to market 
in Waterbury than in Middlesex, on ac- 
count of living the west side of a high 
range of hills or mountains, that form a 
natural boundary, and so separate the two 
towns that only one carriage-road directly 
connects them. The change brings the 
town line as now established very near the 
summit of this range of mountains. 

Near the S. E. corner of the town com- 
mences a less elevation of land, which ex- 
tends in a northerly direction a little east 
of the centre of the town, which unites 
with the higher range about 4 miles from 
the south line, and gives the south part of 
the town a slope southerly towards the 
Winooski, and the northern and eastern 
part a slope easterly towards the North 
Branch of the Winooski, which flows 
through the N. E. corner of the town. 

The surface of the township is somewhat 
uneven, but the soil is generally very fer- 
tile and productive. There are many ex- 
cellent farms on the hills, and some fine 
intervales along the river and branch, and 
although the meadows are not very ex- 
tensive, they are enough so to form a num- 
ber of very good and valuable farms. 

The land is naturally covered with maple, 
birch, beech, ash, elm, butternut, red-oak, 
iron-wood, pine, spruce, hemlock, fir and 
other smaller trees and bushes such as are 
common in this part of the State. 

The N. W. corner of the town contains 
about 1200 acres of nearly unbroken forest, 
covering the mountain and lying along its 
base, which only needs steam-power in the 
immediate vicinity, backed by good me- 
chanical enterprise and skill, to make it 
valuable property. 

This town will compare favorably with 
the other towns in the County for farming 
and lumbering. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

Nature has given our territory fully an 
average share of the singular and odd, and 
of the grand and sublime. 

Among the oddities is a rocking stone 
on the farm of William Chapin, near the 
Centre. This stone, weighing many tons, 
is so evenly balanced on a high ledge that 



it can be rocked forward and back with 
ease. On the mountain west of the late 
C. B. Holden farm is a high cliff of rocks, 
from which many heavy pieces of rock have 
become detached and fallen to the ravine 
below. These are so placed that they 
form some curious caverns on a small scale, 
which are noted hedge-hog habitations. 
One of these rocks, sheltered by the over- 
hanging cliff from which it fell, which is 
some 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and from i 
to 2 feet thick, lies on another rock in such 
a manner that it projects over nearly half 
its length, and is so nicely balanced that a 
man can teeter it up and down with one 
finger. 

A few years ago there stood by the road- 
side on the farm now owned by Daniel 
Pembrook, an iron-wood or remon tree, 
which about 2 feet from the ground di- 
vided into two trunks, each about 6 inches 
in diameter. They grew smooth and 
nearly straight, and from i to 2 feet apart 
for some 10 feet, where they again united 
in one solid trunk, which was about 10 
inches in diameter ; this continued about 3 
feet, where it again divided. The two 
trunks above were similar to the two be- 
low for about 10 feet; there it united once 
more, and above threw out branches and 
had a "top" similar to other trees of its 
kind. This tree was cut down by some 
one who had an eye keener for the usefiil 
than for the ornamental. 

The only road that directly connects 
this town with Waterbury, about i^ miles 
from the river, passes through a notch be- 
tween masses of ragged ledges which for 
many rods rise almost perpendicular on 
either side to the height of 100 feet or 
more, with just fair room for a- good car- 
riage-road and a small stream of water be- 
tween. 

The channel called the Narrows, worn 
through the rocks by the Winooski be- 
tween this town and Moretown, is quite a 
curiosity. Of this grand work of time 
Moretown may justly claim a share, but as 
this town is the most benefited by it, Mid- 
dlesex history would be incomplete with- 
out a description. The channel is about 
80 rods in length, some 30 feet in depth, 



MIDDLESEX. 



229 



and averaging about 60 feet wide. Where 
the bridge leading from Middlesex village 
across to Moretown spans the channel, the 
width at the top of the cut is less than the 
depth. Below this bridge for many rods 
the rocks rise very nearly perpendicular for 
some 30 feet, appearing like a wall. Above 
the bridge for many rods they rise on either 
side to near the same elevation, but not 
quite so steep, leaving the chasm only a 
few feet wide at the bottom, and the river 
runs very rapidly through the channel. At 
the upper end of the Narrows is a dam and 
the mills described elsewhere. Just below 
the bridge, and in direct line with the 
course of the river above, is a high pinna- 
cle of rocks. When the river is low it 
runs the north side of this, and when the 
water is high it flows on both sides, or sur- 
rounds it. 

By a survey made by the late Hon. Wm. 
Howe§ a few years ago, it was ascertained 
that the fall in the river from below the 
dam at Montpelier village to the top of 
the water in the pond at Middlesex was 
only 5 feet 11 inches. 

There are many things that indicate that 
at some distant day these ledges formed a 
barrier that obstructed the water of the 
river, and raised it many feet higher than 
the meadows along the river above this 
place, forming a large pond or lake, that 
flowed not only these meadows but a part 
of Montpelier, including the greater part 
of the village, and a portion of the towns 
of Barre, Berlin and Moretown. About 2 
miles above the Narrows the ledge, near 
where the carriage-road now is, some 50 
feet above the present bed of the river, 
bears unmistakable evidence of the wash- 
ing of the waters of the river or lake. 

While gazing on tliis wondrous worli 

Of nature's law, divinely fair, 
We feel how great the worif of time. 

How weak and frail we mortals are. 

We feel the feeling grow of awe. 
While loolting on tliis rolling tide, 

And think these were the works of God, 
In which mankind could take no pride. 

Along the mountain side in the N. W. 
part of the town are many rills and brooks, 
that come rushing down steep declivities 
and leaping from high precipices, forming 



many beautiful cascades and miniature cat- 
aracts, which if as great as they are lofty 
would be supremely grand. Here, too, are 
found high overhanging cliffs and deep 
ravines, and all the sublimity common to 
the mountains of the Verd Mont State. 

But when we stand upon the summit of 
the highest peak, 3,558 feet above Lake 
Champlain, and cast our eye at a glance 
over more than 10,000 sq. miles of the 
surrounding country, looking down over 
the homes of tens of thousands of our 
steady villagers and sturdy yeomanry, view- 
ing the well-cultivated plains and forest- 
covered hills, and beholding the distant 
mountain scenery, the winding streams 
and ever-varied landscape, here we find 
magnificence and grandeur combined. 

It might be said sublime and fair. 

And lofty are our verdant hills. 
And crystal streams from fountains flow 

Tliat turn witli ease the swiftest mills. 
Our plains, how grand, how marked with care. 

While each proclaims the work of God ; 
And man, with thanks and willing hands. 

Improves the rich and fertile sod. 

For the following very good description 
of our mountains I am indebted to Wm. 
Chapin : 

MOUNTAINS OF MIDDLESEX. 

BY WM. CHAPIN, ESQ, 

Near the South-west corner of Middle- 
sex there rises abruptly from the south 
bank of the Winooski river a range of 
clearly-defined mountains, that extends 
about 20 miles, being nearly on the line 
between Middlesex and Waterbury, and 
extending between Worcester and Stowe, 
a little to the east of the line between 
those towns, and ending near Elmore pond, 
in the Lamoille valley. These mountains 
are called "The Hogbacks "in some of 
the earlier geographical works of Vermont, 
but that name now applies only to the 
south end of the range near the Winooski. 

The most conspicuous points in Middle- 
sex are locally known as ' ' Burned Mount- 
ain," "White Rock," or " Castle Rock," 
and " Mt. Hunger." This Mt. Hunger is 
nearly on the line between Middlesex and 
Worcester, and a little east of the corners 
of the four towns, Middlesex, Worcester, 
Stowe and Waterbury. Its height is 3648 
feet above the sea. 



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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



As the topmost stone of this mountain, 
which is the highest point in the range, is 
doubtless in the town of Worcester, that 
town may perhaps fairly claim the honor 
of having within its limits one of the pleas- 
antest places of public resort to be found 
in New England. 

The name of Mt. Hunger was given by 
a party of hunters who went out from Mid- 
dlesex Centre on a winter's day, some 60 
years ago, to hunt for deer on this mount- 
ain. Lost in the vast woods, they had to 
stay out all night, with nothing to eat save 
one partridge, and that without salt or 
sauce. When they got home the next 
day, half starved and wholly tired out, 
they said they had ht-^n on Mount Hunger . 
Not an inviting name, certainly, but very 
appropriate to the occasion. 

The only comfortable way and road to 
the summit at the present time is in and 
through Middlesex. From the earliest 
settlement of the town this has been a 
favorite resort for all who have had suffi- 
cient hardihood of muscle and wind to 
make the first ascent. But the way was 
rough, tangled and steep. A better way 
was needed, and in due time was made. 
The Mt. Hunger road was commenced in 
October, 1877, and completed June i, 
1878. It was on its first survey 2 miles 
and 16 rods in length, extending from the 
public highway in Middlesex to the sum- 
mit of the mountain. The first 500 rods 
was made a good, safe and comfortable 
carriage road. The last half mile is very 
steep, and only a foot-path could be made, 
but the path is so well provided with stairs 
and other conveniences that children 6 
years of age have gone up safely, and men 
of 86 years have gone up without difficulty. 
[The late Hon. Daniel Baldwin, of Mont- 
pelier, twice after 86 years of age.] Many 
teams of one to 6 horses drawing carriages 
from two to 20 persons, have gone up and 
down this road in the summers of 1878, '79 
and '80, without an accident or mishap to 
any one. 

To build such a road, through a dense 
forest of spruce, birch and maple woods, 
was no small undertaking, requiring some 
courage, much capital and a vast amount 



of hard labor. Thousands of trees had to 
be dug up by the roots — giant birches that 
clung to the ground for dear life, well- 
rooted spruce, and tough beeches and 
maple ; thousands of knolls and hills had 
to be graded or removed, and hardest of 
all, thousands of rocks and ledges to be 
blasted, dug out, or got around in some 
way. 

Hundreds of feet of bridging had to be 
built across the many little brooks and rills 
that come down the mountain sides. The 
longest bridge is in Middlesex, near the 
Worcester line, and is 137 feet long. At 
the upper end of the carriage-road is a 
level plateau that has been well cleared of 
the undergrowth and made smooth, and 
here a barn has been built to accommodate 
travelers with teams. The grade of the 
road is necessarily somewhat steep, but as 
it is a continual rise from the foot to sum- 
mit, no very sharp or steep pitches^ are to 
be found in the whole length of it. 

This road was built by Theron Bailey, 
Esq., of Montpelier, proprietor of the 
" Pavilion," and is owned and occupied by 
him as a toll road, the various land-owners 
on the route having deeded him the right 
of way, and some 25 acres of land for 
building and standing ground at the top. 

The construction of this road was under 
the superintendence of Wm. Chapin, Esq., 
of Middlesex Centre, and was completed, 
with the exception of stairs and bridges, 
in 60 working days, and with a gang of 
less than 20 men. 

Whether this road will be kept up in re- 
pair or not, remains to be seen. The mount- 
ain top is one of the pleasantest places of 
earth, and will be visited so long as people 
inhabit the country ; standing in an isolated 
position, it commands a view of the whole 
country ; to the east, to the White Mount- 
ains, west, to the Adirondacks, north, to 
the Canadian Provinces, and south, to the 
Massachusetts line ; a score of villages, 
many lakes and ponds, and, best of all, 
thousands of New England farms and 
homes. 

Among those who visited here in the 
olden time was the late Daniel P. Thomp- 
son, of Montpelier, who climbed up, fol- 



MIDDLESEX. 



231 



lowing the town line for a guide, about 
1833, and no doubt much of the sublime 
mountain scenery so beautifully described 
in "May Martin," " The Green Mountain 
Boys," and other Vermont stories, was 
studied from nature here. 

The tops of all of these mountains were 
covered with timber at the settlement of 
the town ; now some 10 acres are burned 
down to the bare rock on the top of Mt. 
Hunger, about the same area on " White 
Rock," and on Burned Mountain the fire 
has cleared some 30 to 40 acres. The 
spaces thus opened afford the finest out- 
look upon tlie surrounding country. 

'* Now on the ridges, bare anil bleak, 

Cool 'round my temples sighs the gale. 
Ye winds! that wander o'er the Peak, 

Ye mountain spirits! hail! 
Angels of health! to man below 

Ye bring celestial airs ; 
Bear back to Him, from whom ye blow. 

Our praises and prayers." 

Middlesex Centre, 1880. w. c. 

WATER-POWER, MILLS AND FRESHETS. 

The town is abundantly watered by 
springs, brooks and rivers. There are but 
very few houses in town that are not sup- 
plied with a stream of clear, pure, soft 
water, running from some never-failing 
spring. 

Numerous brooks rise among the mount- 
ains and on the hills, and flow across the 
town. One called Big brook rises N. W. 
of the Centre, flows a southerly course to 
near the centre of the town, then flows 
south-westerly to the Winooski, emptying 
just above the village. 

On this stream, about half a mile from its 
mouth, has been a saw-mill the greater 
part of the time for upwards of 60 years, 
and at diff"erent times there have been mills 
at three other places on the stream, one 
being near the Centre. The best of these 
mills, built by Solomon Hutchins about 20 
years ago, was destroyed by fire soon after 
it was completed. The other mills have 
rotted down, been damaged by freshets 
and never repaired, or been taken down, 
and at present there is no mill on the 
stream ; but there is a repair shop, owned 
by Myron Long, in place of the mill first 
described. 



Along the mountains northerly of the 
height of land near the Centre, rise many 
brooks, which, flowing south-easterly and 
uniting, form a quite large stream, which 
empties into North Branch about 5 miles 
from Montpelier village. 

The two largest of these brooks unite at 
Shady Rill, about one mile from the 
Branch, and here in the year 1824, Jedu- 
than Haskins and Ira McElroy built a saw- 
mill on the right bank of the stream, which 
stood about 4 years, and was washed away 
by a freshet. It was rebuilt soon after by 
Haskins on the other side of the stream. 
This mill stood until about 1850, when it 
was washed away and never rebuilt. On 
the east stream of the two that unite at 
Shady Rill, about h mile above that place, 
a saw-mill was built some years ago. In 
1869, or '70. this mill was bought by Isaac 
W. Brown, of Montpelier, who put in a 
clapboard mill, which was run by John 
Hornbrook tmtil 1872. 

In 1872, W. H. Billings came fromWaits- 
field and bought the mill. He ran the old 
mill 2 years, and his brother, J. J. Billings, 
went in company with him. The fall of 
1875, they built a new mill, 34 by 60 
feet, and put in a small engine to run part 
of the machinery. In this mill they did a 
good business, which was increasing each 
year until the mill was burned, May 8, 
1880. At that time they had several 
thousand logs in the mill-yard, and they 
immediately commenced clearing out the 
debris of the burned mill, and laying the 
foundation for a large new mill, 48 feet by 
96. They put in a 75 horse-power engine, 
and commenced cutting out boards and 
timber July 17, and in the course of the 
summer they nearly finished the mill and 
put in all the machinery necessary for cut- 
ting, planing and matching boards, and 
sawing and dressing clapboards. It is 
now, Jan. 188 1, one of the best mills in 
the State, and capable of turning out 10 
car-loads of dressed lumber per month. 
There is another mill, on another stream, 
about half a mile west of this mill, now 
owned by Geo. W. Willey. 

In 181 5, Esquire Bradstreet Baldwin 
came from Londonderry, and built a mill 



232 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



where Putnam's mills now s^;and, on North 
Branch, about 5^ miles from Montpelier, 
since which there has been a mill there. 

We are favored by the following de- 
scription of these mills through the kind- 
ness of C. C. Putnam, Esq: 

" The north branch of the Winooski, 
which empties into the main stream at 
Montpelier, flows through the N. E. corner 
of Middlesex, about 3 miles, on which is 
situated one of the best mill privileges in 
the State, with a fall of 32 ft., on which 
was erected a mill in 18 15, by Bradstreet 
Baldwin, son of Benjamin Baldwin, of 
Londonderry, Vt. The mill built by Brad- 
street Baldwin, on the above-mentioned 
privilege, was owned and occupied by sev- 
eral parties until purchased by C. C. Put- 
nam and Jacob Putnam, about 1845. At 
that time the capacity of the mill was about 
100,000 ft. per annum. The old mill was 
situated on the west side of the stream at 
the top of the fall. In 1854,' was erected 
a large double gang-mill on the east side 
of the stream below the fall to take advan- 
tage of the 32-feet fall, together with a 
grist-mill and machinery for dressing lum- 
ber. The latter was consumed by fire in 
1862. The same year was erected by C. 
C. Putnam on the same site, the mill now 
standing, with two laige circular saws. 
Since then have been added to the mill, 
planers, matchers, edging-saw, butting- 
machine and band-saw for cutting out chair 
stock, the capacity of the mill being 2,000,- 
000 ft. dressed lumber per year. The past 
year, C. C. Putnam & Son, the present 
owners, have shipped 150 car-loads of 
dressed lumber to New Hampshire, Mas- 
sachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, 
valued from $25,000 to $30,000. The most 
of this lumber is cut on their land in 
Worcester, and floated down the stream. 
In connection with their lumber business 
they have a supply store, containing all 
necessaries for their workmen and public 
generally, doing a business of from $15,000 
to $20,000 per year." 

Henry Perkins came to town somewhere 
about 1800, and built the first grist and 
saw-mill at the Narrows, where the village 
stands. He lived in the Widow Aaron 



Ladd house, one of the two first houses in 
the village. Soon after, Samuel Haskins 
built an oil-mill, and Thomas Stowell built 
a clothing-works mill. 

In those early days, when news were 
conveyed on horseback as the swiftest 
means ; when freighting between here and 
Boston was mostly done with oxen ; before 
Ark Wright had invented the spinning Jenny , 
or carding-machines were known ; when 
the women did all the carding and spin- 
ning by hand ; when farmers had to go a 
great way to mill, and carry their grist on 
horseback, or on their shoulders ; when the 
meat mostly used was that of wild game, 
and salt to season it sometimes $3.58 per 
bu. ; when 8 children were called an av- 
erage family, and 12 or 13 not uncommon, 
and boys and girls were not afraid of work ; 
when the " goode housewyfe " found ample 
time to spin yarn from wool, flax and tow, 
and weave cloth to clothe all in her goodly 
family, works were then in vogue and built 
for coloring, fulling, pressing and dressing 
cloth. In May, 1818, a freshet sweptaway 
the clothing-works, but they were soon 
built up again. 

At the time of this freshet Luther Has- 
kins was moving from the farm which he 
sold to Stephen Herrickin 1820, and which 
Mr. Herrick still owns and occupies. He 
got his cattle a:s far as the river, and could 
get them no farther on account of high 
water. Nathaniel Daniels and John Cooms 
undertook to go from the village in a boat 
to take care of the cattle. They had pro- 
ceeded some 20 rods up the river, when 
the current upset the boat. Cooms swam 
ashore, and seeing Daniels stmggling in 
the water, was about to swim in to rescue 
him, when some one who considered the 
undertaking too dangerous, held Cooms 
back, and Daniels was drowned. 

Nov. 1 82 1, all the mills were destroyed 
by fire. They were soon rebuilt, with a 
good woolen factory in place of the clothing- 
works, which was built by Amplius Blake, 
of Chelsea, who employed Artemas Wilder 
to superintend it. 

In Sept. 1828, was another freshet, 
which swept away the factory, grist-mill, 
oil-mill and saw-mill. Much to the credit 



MIDDLESEX. 



233 



of the owners, they went to work with true 
Yankee courage immediately, and rebuilt 
the mills in a stronger and more secure 
manner, and had them all in operation 
within 2 years. They were not secure 
enough, however, to withstand the exten- 
sive freshet of July, 1830, during which 
the water in the Winooski probably was 
the highest ever known since the State was 
settled, being at its greatest height July 
27 or 28, so high it flowed through the vil- 
lage, and a dam was built across the upper 
end of the street, to turn the current of the 
river back towards the Narrows. All the 
mills were raised Ijy the water from their 
foundations, and sailed off together like a 
fleet, taking the bridge below with them, 
until they struck the high pinnacle of rocks 
a few rods below the bridge, when, with a 
deafening crash, they smashed, and ap- 
parently disappeared in the rolling flood. 

The weather in the summer of 1830 was 
cold and wet up to July 15. From the 15th 
to the 24th it was mostly clear and exces- 
sively warm. During the day of the 15th, 
the thermometer rose in the shade to 94°, 
the 16th it rose to 92°, the 17th to 92^°, 
the 1 8th to 92°, the 19th to 90°, the 20th 
to 91°, and the 21st to 94°. 

The rain commenced in the afternoon of 
Saturday, the 24th, and continued till the 
Thursday following, and is believed to be 
the greatest fall of water in the length of 
time ever known in Vermont, the fall at 
Burlington being more than 7 inches, 3.85 
in. of which fell the 26th in 16 hours. 

After this freshet, Jeduthan and Luther 
Haskins built here an oil-mill, which was 
bought by Enos Stiles in 1835, and suc- 
cessfully operated by him for 33 years. He 
sold to Y. Dutton, who now owns it. There 
were many oil-mills in the State at an 
early day, but they had all been abandoned 
except two, when Mr. Stiles sold his mill. 
Mr. Dutton kept the mill in operation for 
a time after he owned it, and is supposed 
to be the last one in the State to give up 
making oil from flax-seed. The Messrs. 
Haskins also built a grist-mill, which was 
afterward owned for many years by Geo. 
& Barnard Langdon, of Montpelier, who 
sold to L. D. Ainsworth. He has at great 



expense fortified it against freshets, and 
made it a first-class, modern flouring and 
grist-mill, where he does a good business. 
He also owns a planing-mill near the grist- 
mill, and a saw-mill on the opposite side of 
the river in Moretown, which accommo- 
dates many who reside in Middlesex, and 
has recently bought the old oil-mill of 
Dutton. 

In Oct. 1869, there was a freshet that 
did considerable damage. No buildings 
were carried off, but the highways were 
badly washed, and many bridges carried 
away. In the town report the following 
March I find, in addition to a highway tax 
of 50 cents on a dollar of the grand list, 
about $3,000 in orders drawn for extra 
work and expense on highways and bridges. 
The river was so high thatMr. Ainsworth's 
saw-mill teetered up and down on the water, 
and would have been swept away had it 
not been securely chained to the trees and 
ledges. 

OF THE MINERALOGY 

here but little is yet known. Rock crystal 
is quite common, and some very fine spec- 
imens of crystal quartz have. been picked 
up. The largest, most transparent and 
most perfect specimens have been found in 
the north western part of the town, along 
the foot of the mountain. The crystal 
quartz found here is mostly nearly white. 
Some of the specimens are traversed in va- 
rious directions with hair-like crystals of a 
reddish, yellowish or brown color, and 
similar to those found elsewhere along the 
gold formation, so called, that extends 
through this part of the State. Many 
stones are also found of which iron enters 
largely into the formation ; and it is claimed 
that gold has been found in small quanti- 
ties in the eastern part of the town, but no 
very valuable mines have yet been discov- 
ered here. 

MAGNETIC VARIATION. 

From an examination of the lines run 
when the town v/as alloted in 1788, it ap- 
pears that the westerly variation of the mag- 
netic needle is now very nearly 4°, so that 
lines in this town that were run N. 36° E. 
in 1787, now in 1881 run N. 40° E. 



30 



234 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



ANIMALS. 

The first settlers found in the forest of 
this town, the black bear, raccoon, wol- 
verine, weasel, mink, pine martin (im- 
properly called sable), skunk, American 
otter, wolf, red fox, black or silver fox, 
cross fox, lynx, bay lynx or wild cat, star- 
nosed mole, shrew mole, Say's bat, beaver, 
musk rat, meadow mouse, jumping mouse, 
white bellied or tree mouse, woodchuck, 
the gray, black, red, striped, and flying 
squirrel, hedge-hog, rabbit, moose, and 
common deer. 

In 1 83 1, a very large moose left the 
mountain near the notch road, and wan- 
dered towards the village of Middlesex. 
He crossed the Winooski near the eddy 
just below the narrows, and went across 
the meadows on the farms now owned by 
Joseph Newhall and Joseph Knapp in 
Moretown, passing through a field of wheat 
on the latter farm. He then crossed Mad 
river near its mouth, and started in the di- 
rection of the large tract of woods near 
Camel's Hump mountain. This is sup- 
posed to be the last wild moose that ever 
visited Middlesex. 

COUNTY MEMBERSHIP. 

Middlesex has had the honor to belong 
to Gloucester County, established by the 
N. Y. Council, Mar. 16, 1770; Unity, es- 
tablished Mar. 17, 1778; name changed to 
Cumberland, Mar. 21, 1778 ; to Benning- 
ton, being set to this County by change 
of county line Feb. i, 1779: to Addison 
Co., formed Oct. 18, 1785; to Jefferson 
County, incorporated Nov. i, 1810; to 
Washington Co., the name of Jefferson 
being changed to Washington in 18 14. 

Middlesex can boast of being the first 
town settled in Washington County, as 
the county is now organized ; but it was 
not the first town chartered, Duxbury, 
Moretown and Waterbury having been 
chartered one day first, June 7, 1763. 

The altitude at Middlesex village was 
given by D. P. Thompson at 520 feet 
above the level of the ocean, probably 
meaning the elevation of the railroad at 
that place. He did not claim minute ac- 
curacy, but as his estimate was deduced 



from data of surveys for canals and rail- 
roads, it is probably a very near approxi- 
mation. 

CARRYING THEIR VISITORS HOME. 

Somewhere between 1825 and 1830, a 
carpenter and joiner, named Downer, came 
with his family from Canada to build the 
house where Elijah Whitney now lives, for 
Jacob Putnam, and moved his family into 
a house about 2 miles easterly from Wor- 
cester Corner, and owned by Wm. Ar- 
buckle. Downer, for some reason, went 
to Canada in the winter, and left his wife 
and four or five children in Worcester, and 
during his absence they were aided by the 
town. Danforth W. Stiles then lived where 
he had made the first beginning, on what 
is now known as the Nichols' place, above 
Putnam's Mills, and the Downer family 
came there and to Jacob Putnam's on a 
visit. When they were ready to return 
home, they procured a team, and a boy 
started to drive them home and take the 
team back, but they were met near the line 
by Worcester men, who turned their team 
around, and told them to drive back into 
Middlesex, and they retiirned to Stiles'. 
Stephen Herrick was overseer of the poor 
in Middlesex, and Stiles immediately no- 
tified him of the affair, and he started with 
his team to carry the family back. He 
took the woman and children, and accom- 
panied by Stiles, they proceeded to within 
about a mile and a half of the house, which 
distance was through a thick woods, when 
they were stopped by two men who were 
felling trees across the road so lively that 
after considerable effort to cut their way 
through, they returned with the family to 
Middlesex, leaving the family at Esquire 
Baldwin's. 

Herrick went home, arriving there about 
dark, and rode about that part of the town 
to inform the men of his defeat and pro- 
cure assistance, and was soon on the road 
to Worcester again, accompanied by Elijah 
Holden, with a span of horses and double 
sleigh to carry the family, and by Horace 
Holden, Moses Holden, Xerxes Holden, 
Asa Chapin, Torry Hill, Josiah Holden 
Abram Gale, John Bryant, George Sawyer, 
Jeremiah Leland, Sanford White, Lewis Mc- 



MIDDLESEX. 



235 



Elroy and others, in all 22 men, with 9 teams 
and plenty of axes, bars ^nd levers, with 
which to clear the track, and they were 
joined by Stiles when they reached his 
place, making 23 men. When they reach- 
ed the woods they were again stopped, 
this time by 16 Worcester men with axes, 
who commenced to fell trees into the road, 
as fully resolved to prevent any further tax 
to support the Downers, as the Boston 
"tea party " were to avoid paying the three 
cent tax on tea. The Middlesex men 
commenced clearing the road, and pro- 
ceeded some distance in that way, but the 
16 men kept the trees so thick in the road 
ahead, that Herrick ordered his men to 
leave the road, and cut a new road through 
the woods around the fallen trees. In 
this way they succeeded better, and when 
the trees became too numerous ahead, they 
dodged again, and brushed out a road 
around them, Ilolden following close be- 
hind with the family. As soon as it was 
certain that they would succeed, Herrick 
proceeded alone to the house, to protect 
that from, being destroyed, and to have a 
fire when the woman and children should 
get there. 

Very soon after he reached the house, 
William Hutchinson entered with a fire- 
brand, and was about to set fire to the 
house, when Herrick seized him, threw 
him to the floor, and seating himself on 
Hutchinson, held him fast. Torry Hill 
soon entered, with a gruff " whose here?" 
Herrick answered, " I am here, and here is 
this little Bill Hutchinson, who bothered 
me yesterday by felling trees into the road." 
" Let me have him," sa,id Torry. Herrick 
released him, when he sprang for the fire, 
determined to carry out his purpose, but 
Torry seized him by the collar, and snap- 
ping him to the door, gave him a kick that 
made him say, " FUgo!" " Yes, you will 
go, and that d — d quick, too," said Hill, 
giving him another kick, that sent him 
many feet from the house. 

Soon after both parties arrived at the 
house, and the family was escorted in about 
daybreak. A war of words followed, with 
some threatening. One tall, muscular, 
Worcester man, named Rhodes, stepped 



out, and threatening loudly, exclaimed, 
" I can lick any six of you! " Torry Hill 
sprang in front of him, and smadting his 
fists together, replied, " My name is six, 
come on !" but no blows were struck. 

Herrick was soon called before Judge 
Ware, of Montpelier, to answer to the 
charge of violating the statute against re- 
moving any person or persons from one 
town in this State to any other town in the 
State without an order of removal. It was 
proved conclusively that all the home they 
had was in Worcester, that they were vis- 
iting in Middlesex, and desired to return, 
and that the defendant only helped them 
to return to their house in Worcester. Wm . 
Upham and Nicholas Baylies, counsel for 
Worcester, and Judge Jeduthan Loomis 
for defendant. 

Although the Worcester people were 
beat, they did not give up, but arranged a 
double sled so that the driver's seat was 
attached to the forward sled, and a blow 
or two with an axe would free the hind sled 
and body, and taking the family on the 
sled, they gave them a free ride up north, 
and when in a suitable place the driver de- 
tached the forward sled, and trotted off 
towards home, leaving the woman and 
children in the road, comfortably tucked 
up in their part of the sled, and where 
they would be under the necessity of so- 
liciting the charity of Her Majesty's sub- 
jects in Canada. 

POPULATION AND GRAND LIST. 

1783, population i or 2 ; 1791, 60 ; 1793, 
grand list ;^28o, los. ; 1800, population 
262; 1810, population 401, list $4770.37; 
1820, 726, $7623 ; 1830, 1 156, $5720 ; 1840, 
1279, $8240; 1850, 1365, $2952.52; i860, 
1254, $3459.51; 1870, 1171, $3584.63; 
1880, 1087, $3128; 1881, $5068. 

In 1794, our votes for governor were, 
for Thomas Chittenden 10, Elijah Paine 4, 
Louis R. Morris i, and Samuel Mattocks i . 

It was voted to raise 3d. per pound for 
making and repairing roads, and 2d. per 
pound to defray town expenses. 

The 5d. on a pound was 2 1-12 per ct. 
of the grand list, which was a great varia- 
tion from the 125 to 150 per ct. raised by 



236 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the town for a few years past for necessary 
expenses and highways. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first district extended along the 
river, but we have not learned the exact 
location of the first school-house. The 
district was divided in 1794, the line be- 
tween lots 6 and 7 on the river, and one 
school-house built near where the No. i 
school-house now stands, and No. 2 school- 
house, which was washed away by the 
freshet of 18 18, about half way from the 
village to where the road leading towards 
the Centre passes under the railroad. 

As the town became settled, new dis- 
tricts were organized until they numbered 
13, but at present only 1 1 support schools, 
two having been divided and set to other 
districts. With two or three exceptions, 
the school-houses have been newly built or 
repaired within a few years, and are in 
good condition, and the schools will com- 
pare favorably with the common schools 
of surrounding towns. 

The natural division of the township 
prevents any natural central point in town, 
and no high schools of any grade have 
been established here, but many of the 
larger scholars attend the high schools and 
seminaries at Montpelier, Barre, Water- 
bury and elsewhere. 

The number of families having children 
of school age is about 170, and the num- 
ber of school children only about 225, 
consequently our schools are all small 
compared with the schools of early days. 
About the year 1825 Stephen Herrick 
taught at the Centre and had 75 scholars ; 
Hubbard Willey sending 10, Ezra Nichols 
7, and others nearly as many. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

Representatives — Samuel Harris was 
representative in 1791 ; Seth Putnam, 1792, 
'93, '94, '96, '97 to 1800, '3, ''4, '5, '7, '8, 
'13 to '17, '22; Josiah Hurlburt, 1795; 
Henry Perkins, 1801, '2, '6; David Har- 
rington, 1809 to 1813, '17, '19, '21 : Na- 
thaniel Carpenter, 18 18, '20; Josiah Hol- 
den, 1823, '24, '28, '29; Holden Putnam, 
1825, '26, '27, '34, '36, '40 ; John Vincent, 
1830, '33. '35> '37 \ Wm. H. Holden, 



1831 ; Wm. J. Holden, 1838; Leander 
Warren, 1841, '44, '58, '59; Horace Hol- 
den, 1842, '43; Wm. H. Holden, 1845; 
Joseph Hancock, 1846, '48; John Poor, 
1849, '5°; Oliver A. Chamberlin, 1851, 
'52, '55; Moses Holden, 1853,^54; Geo. 
Leland, 2d, 1856, '57; James H. Holden, 
i860; Jacob S. Ladd, 1861, '62; Wm. E. 
McAllister, 1863; C. C. Putnam, 1864, 
'65; Rufus Warren, 1866, '67; Charles B. 
Holden, 1868, ''69; Jarvil C. Leland, 1870; 
Jacob Putnam, 1872 ; Sylvanus Daniels, 
1874; C. C. Eaton, 1876; Myron W. 
Miles, 1878; Wm. Chapin, 1880. 

Superintendents of Schools. — David 
Goodale was chosen in 1846 ; Aaron Ladd, 
1847, '48, '49; Stephen Herrick, 1850, '56, 
'66; George Bryant, 1851 ; Wm. H. Hol- 
den, 1852; Wm. Chapin, 1853, '57, '69; 
H. Fales, 1854; Anson Felton, 1855; H. 
L. McElroy, 1858, '61 to '66; Marcus 
Gould, 1859, '60; W. L. Leland, 1867; 
C. C. Putnam, Jr., 1868, '70; Elijah 
Whitney, 1879, '80; V. V. Vaughn, 1871 
to '79, '81. 

First Selectmen. — Thomas Mead, 
1790, '95, '96; Samuel Harris, 1791 ; Seth 
Putnam, 1792, '98, 1803, '4, '14, '15; Levi 
Putnam, 1793; Josiah Hurlburt, 1794; 
Leonard Lamb, 1797 ; Henry Perkins, 1799 ; 
David Harrington, 1800, 'i, '2; Ephraim 
Willey, 1805; Elisha Woodbury, 1806; 
Josiah Holden, 1807, '8 ; Nathaniel Car- 
penter, 1809, '11, '13, '18, '19, '20, '21; 
Joseph Hutchins, 1810 ; Ephraim Keyes, 
1812; Daniel Houghton, 1816; Jacob Put- 
nam, 1817 ; Horace Holden, 1822, '23, '27, 
'35, '36, '39, '46, '47; James Jordan, 1828; 
John Vincent, 1829, '30, '31, '34; Wm. H. 
Holden. 1833; Aaron Ladd, 1837; S. C. 
Collins, 1838; Leander Warren, 1840, '57; 
Geo. H. Lewis, 1841, '42, '53; O. A. 
Chamberlin, 1843, '44» '4^, '49. '51 ; Sam- 
uel Daniels, 1845; George Leland, 1850, 
'52; C. C. Putnam, 1854, '71, '72, '73; 
Jacob S. Ladd, 1855 ; Moses Holden, 1856 ; 
Wm. D. Mclntyre, 1858; David Ward, 
1859, '60, '66, '67, '68; Osgood Evans, 
1861 ; Andrew A. Tracy, 1862; Jas. H. 
Holden, 1863, '64; D. P. Carpenter, 1865 ; 
Jarvil C. Leland, 1869; Jacob Putnam, 



MIDDLESEX. 



237 



1870; Gardner Sawyer, 1874, '81; Elijah 
Somers, 1875 ; Wm. ^- McElroy, 1876; 
Hiram A. Sawyer, 1877; Norris Wright, 
1878; D.R. Culver, 1879; C. J. Lewis, 
1880. 

Constables. — The first constable elect- 
ed was Edniond Holden, in 1790; Daniel 
Hoadley, 1791 ; Jacob Putnam, 1792; Seth 
Putnam, 1793; Samuel Harris, 1794, '97, 
'98, '99 ; Josiah Hurlburt, 1795 ; Wm. Hol- 
den, 1796, 1820; Henry Perkins, 1800; 
Rufus Chamberlin, 1801 ; David Allen, 
1802; Ira Hawks, 1803; Thomas Mead, 
1804, '5, ''6; David Harrington, 1807 to 
'13 ; Josiah Holden, 1814 ; Horace Holden, 
1817, '19, '24 ; Luther Haskins, 1818 ; Dan- 
iel Houghton, 1821 ; Jeduthan Haskins, 
1822 ; Alexander McCray, 1825 ; Ira Mc- 
Elroy , 1825 ; O. A. Chamberlin, 1828; 
Wm. A. Nichols, 1829; Luther Farrar, 
1830, '31 ; D. P. Carpenter, 1833, '34, '36, 
'37 ; Gideon Hills, 1835 ; Stephen Herrick, 
1838, '39, '40, '42, '45 ; Geo. Leland, 1841 ; 
Philander Holden, 1843, '44, '46; Geo. H. 
Lewis, 1847, '48, '49; Wm. H. Holden, 
1850, '31; Wm. Slade, 1852; Frank A. 
Blodgett, 1853, '54; Curtis Haskins, 1855; 
Ezra Ladd, 1856, '57; Wm. Chapin, 1858, 
'59 ; C. B. Holden, i860 to '74 ; Myron W. 
Miles, 1874 to the present, 1881. 

Overseers since 1841. — Robert Mc- 
Elroy, 1842; Selectmen, 1843, '75; Jedu- 
than Haskins, 1844; D. P. Carpenter, 
1845 ; Wm. S. Clark, 1846; Wm. D. Mc- 
Intyre, 1847, '67, '68, '69; Enos Stiles, 
1848, '49; Thomas Stowell, 1850; Benja- 
min Scribner, 1851, '53, '54, '64; Stephen 
Herrick, 1852, '58; Daniel B. Sherman, 
1855, '56; Geo. R, Sawyer, 1857; W. H. 
Clark, 1859; C. C. Putnam, i860 to '67; 
David Ward, 1870; Elijah Somers, 1871, 
'72, '73' '74 ; Seaver Howard, 1876, ''77] 
Putnam W. Daley, 1878; H. A. Sawyer, 
1879, '80, '81. 

First Justices. — Seth Putnam, 1789, 
1811, '12; Nathaniel Carpenter, 1813, '14, 
'15, '17, '18, '23 to '30, and '';i;i to '39; 
Rufus Chamberlin, 18 16; Daniel Hough- 
ton, 1819, '20, '22; David Harrington, 
1821 ; Wm. H. Holden, 1831, '32, '33; 
Horace Holden, 1839, '4o>'4i> '44' nearly 



all the time tiU his death, in 1865 ; Wm. 
T. Clark, 1842; Thomas Stowell, 1843; 
John Poor, 1853; Jas. H. Holden, 1864, 
'65, '67 to '72 ; Marcus Gould, 1866; C. C. 
Putnam, 1872, '73, '74, '75 ; D. P. Carpen- 
ter, '76, '77, '78, '80. Seth Putnam, first 
justice in 1789, held the office of justice 26 
years; David Harrington, 15 years; Thos. 
Stowell, 12 years; John Poor, 14 years; 
Nathaniel Carpenter, first justice, 20 years, 
and Horace Holden was justice at least 
38 years. 

Town Agents.— Stephen Herrick, 1842, 
'52. '57, '58, '60, '61, '66, '72; Geo. H. 
Lewis, 1843, '44 ; John Poor, 1845, '53 ; 
Holden Putnam, 1846 to '51 ; George W. 
Bailey, 1855, '56 ; Wm. D. Mclntyre, 1859 i 
Leander Warren, 1862, ''6^, '64, '65, '71, 
'73 ; D. P. Carpenter, 1867, '68, '69 ; David 
Ward, 1870; C. C. Putnam, 1874, '75; 
Wm. Chapin, 1876, '77, '78, '8a, '81; 
Rufus Warren, 1879. 

County Judges. — Hon. James H. Hol- 
den, Hon. Don P. Carpenter. 

Members of Constitutional Conven- 
tion. — Seth Putnam was member in 1793 ; 
Rufus Chamberlin in 18 14, '22, '28 and '36 ; 
Wm. H. Holden in 1843; O. A. Cham- 
berlin in 1850. 

Postmasters. — Theophilus Cushman 
was postmaster in 1824 ; Daniel Houghton, 
1828; Aaron Ladd, 1829; Moses L. Hart, 
1830; Nathaniel Bancroft, 1831 ; Moses L. 
Hart, 1832, '23'i Hiram Mclntyre, 1834 to 
'38; Ransom B. Jones, 1838, '39; Horace 
Snow, 1840 to '45 ; Wm. C. Stowell, 1845, 
'46; Harris Hoyt, 1847; A. A. Haskins, 
1848, '49 ; A. H. Hayes, 1850 ; Jesse John- 
son, Jr., 1851, '52; Anson G. Burnham, 
1853, '54; Geo. H. Lewis, 1855 to '59; 
Simpson Hayes, 1859, '60, '61 ; James H. 
Holden, 1862 to 1881, inclusive. 

Physicians. — A doctor by the name of 
Billings practiced and resided in Middle- 
sex in 182 1 ; Holdridge soon after ; Joseph 
Lewis, 1825; Samuel Fifield, 1830; Daniel 
Kellogg, ''^;i ; Henry Dewey, '34 ; H. Dewey 
and Jona Webster, '35 ; Jona Webster, '36, 
'37 ; Rial Blanchard, '40, '41, '42; David 
Goodale, '44 ; F. B. Packard, '45 ; Chand- 
ler Poor, dentist, '45 ; David Goodale, '46, 



J3« 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



'47 ; A. H. Hayes and B. L. Conant, '48 ; 
A. H. Hayes, '49; Horace Fales, '50 '51, 
^52, '53, '54, '55; J. W. Sawin, '58, '59; 
H. L. Richardson, '61, '62, '63; O. L. 
Watson, '65, '66; — Risdon, '79; W. G. 
Church, '80 and '81. 

There might have been physicians in 
town previous to any named, but I have 
no such record or evidence. In addition 
to those named, other physicians have 
lived in town, among whom is Dr. Zela 
Richardson, a son of Frederick Richard- 
son, who was one of the first inhabitants 
of Stowe. The Dr. was born in Stowe in 
Dec. 1799, went to Castleton when about 
22 years of age, and studied for the pro- 
fession under Dr. Thompson, and com- 
menced practicing according to tlie Thomp- 
sonian system in Brandon and vicinity in 
about 1824. He moved to Stowe in 1833, 
and practiced some there till 1840, when 
he moved to where Silas Mead now re- 
sides in Moretown, where he lived until 
1846, when he moved across the river to 
Middlesex village, where he has ever since 
resided, but for the last thirty years he has 
nearly discontinued practice. 

Among others who have lived and prac- 
ticed in town a short time each are a doc- 
tor by the name of Conant, and Dr. Spicer, 
Dr. Scott and a cancer doctor named Hill, 
and perhaps a few others. 

THE CLERGY OF THE TOWN. 

No record has been found of the first 
preaching in Middlesex, but it is known 
that about 18 12 the Methodist minister of 
the Barre circuit preached occasionally in 
town, and that in 18 13, 

REV. STEPHEN HERRICK, 

of Randolph, took the place of the Barre 
circuit preacher, and in his circuit visited 
Middlesex often, and usually held meet- 
ings in the school-house, then standing on 
the north side of the road, very near the 
present line between the farms now occu- 
pied by Stephen Herrick and Joseph Ar- 
buckle. About the same time, 

NATHAN HUNTLEY 

organized a religious society, commonly 
called Elder Huntleyls church, which in 
belief and manner of worship was nearest 



that of the Free Will Baptists. Elder 
Huntley continued his labors until about 
1822, when through his advice the society 
decided to disband, and many of the mem- 
bers joined the other churches. 

ELDER BENJAMIN CHATTERTON 

was probably a resident of Middlesex longer 
than any other preacher that has ever re- 
sided here. He was a member of Elder 
Huntley ''s church, and was ordained Elder, 
and commenced preaching soon after the 
society to which he belonged disbanded. 
He was a Free Will Baptist, and continued 
to preach in town occasionally until near 
his death. He was buried on the farm 
where he lived, on East Hill, now owned 
by Charles Sillovvay. 

A list of many of the clergymen who have 
labored in this town, with dates to show 
about what time they were preachers in 
Middlesex : John F. Adams, Methodist, 
circuit preacher in 1821 ; E. B. Baxter, 
Congregationalist, 1831 ; Benjamin Chat 
terton. Free Will Baptist, 1834; E. G. 
Page and Isaiah Emerson, Meth., '35 ; J. 
T. Pierce, Cong., '38; Edward Copeland, 
Meth., '39; Hiram Freeman, Cong., '39 
and '40 ; W. N. Peck, Meth., '40, '41 ; El- 
bridge Knight, Cong. ; and Wm. Peck and 
Israel Hale, Meth., ''42 ; John H. Beckwith, 
Cong., and H. P. Cuslunan, Meth., '43, 
'44, '45 ; P. Merrill, Meth., '46; N. Web- 
ster in '47; D. Willis, Meth., '48 ; E. B. 
Fuller, Free Will Baptist, '51, '52; Joshua 
Tucker, Free Will Baptist, '53; L. H. 
Hooker, Meth., and — Cummings, Free 
Will Baptist, '54; E. Dickerman, Meth., 
and O. Shipman, Free Will Baptist, '55, 
'56; Abner Newton, Meth., '57; J. S. 
Spinney, Meth., '58, '59; N. W. Aspin- 
wall. '60, '61 ; W. E. McAllister, Meth., 
'62, '63 ; T. Drew, Meth., '64; F. H. Rob- 
erts, '65, '66; A. Hitchcock, '67; Dyer 

Willis, '68; Goodrich, '69; W. A. 

Bryant, Meth., '71, '72, ""/:} ; O. A. Farley, 
'74' '75 i L. O. Sherburn, '76; C. S. Hurl- 
burt, '77, '78 ; T. Trevillian, '79, '80 ; 
W. H. Dean, '81. 

EARLY INCHJENTS AND ANECDOTES. 

The following account of the hardships 
of the first family who made a settlement 



MIDDLESEX. 



239 



in this town, from Deming's Vermont Offi- 
cers, 185 1, written by Horace Holden : 

"Thomas Mead was the first settler in 
the town and the first in the county. He 
came from Westford, Mass., having pur- 
chased a right of land in Middlesex. He 
came as far as Royalton with his wife and 
two or three children. Here he shouldered 
his gun, knapsack and ax, and set forward 
alone to find Middlesex, on Winooski 
river. He went from Brookfield through 
the woods to the head of Dog river, fol- 
lowing that down to its junction with the 
Winooski, and over that river to Middle- 
sex, having informed his wife that in a 
given time he should return, unless he sent 
her word to the contrary. On his arrival 
he found Mr. Jonah Harrington had made 
a pitch, and commenced chopping about 2 
miles below Montpelier village, where he 
tarried till morning when he went down the 
river about 3 miles to the farm now owned 
by Thomas Stowell, where was formerly a 
tavern. Here he made his "^//c//," and 
a very good one too for a farmer ; but had 
he" continued down to the village of Mid- 
dlesex it might have been much better 
around the falls in that place. 

" He was so pleased with swinging his ax 
among the trees on his own land, subsist- 
ing on such game as he took with wooden 
traps and his gun, that his promise to his 
wife to return was not fulfilled. She be- 
came alarmed about him, procured a horse, 
loaded it with provisions, and set forth to 
find her husband ; following up White 
river to its source in Granville, thence 
down Mad river through Warren, Waits- 
field and Moretown to its junction with 
the Winooski about half a mile below 
Middlesex village, crossed that river and 
travelled up it about one mile, where, to 
her joy and his surprise, she found her 
husband in the afternoon of the third day, 
doing a good business among the maples, 
elms and butternuts. From Royalton to 
Rochester she had a bridle path, then to 
Middlesex were only marked or spotted 
trees ; was often under the necessity of un- 
loading her horse to get him past fallen 
timber, and often had to lead him some 
distance. Mr. Mead's family soon moved 



into town. Mr. Mead's third son, Joel, 
was born in Lebanon, N. H., Jan. 18, 
1785, she having gone there for better ac- 
commodations than Middlesex then af- 
forded. Some time in June, 1785, Mrs. 
Mead was gone from home on a very 
cloudy afternoon. Mrs. Mead had to 
look for her cows, which ran in the woods 
at large. She started in good season, 
leaving three small children, one a nursing 
infant 5 months old, alone in the house. 
Not hearing the bell on the cows, she 
took their tracks and followed down the 
river about i^ miles, found where they 
had fed apparently most of the day, but 
no bell to be heard. She then sought 
their tracks, and found they had gone 
down the river, and over "Hog back 
mountain" to Waterbury, one of the 
roughest places in all creation, almost ; 
but cows must be found, or children go to 
bed supperless. She made up her mind 
to "go ahead," and crossing the almost 
impassible mountain, and following on, 
found the cows near the present railroad 
depot in Waterbury, 6 or 7 miles from 
home. 

"By this time it had become dark, and 
backed up by a tremendous thunder- 
shower, rendered it so dark, that return- 
ing over that mountain in the night was 
out of question. In this unpleasant sit- 
uation, she found her way to Mr. James 
Marsh's, the only hut in that village, and 
stayed till the first appearance of daylight, 
when she started her cows for home on a 
double quick time, where she safely ar- 
rived before any of her children had com- 
pleted their morning nap. She concluded 
the children had so long a crying spell 
before going to sleep, they did not awake 
as early as usual." 

About 1795, Mr. Mead kept a few 
sheep, the only sheep kept in town at that 
time. He had to keep a close watch of 
them and yard them nights, to keep them 
from falling a prey to the bears that were 
then plenty in the woods. 

One morning he found his sheep had 
broken out of their pen, and following 
them a short distance northerly from his 
house, he found a sheep that had been 



240 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



killed and partly eaten by the bears. He 
returned to his house, took his gun, and 
started in search of the intruders. He had 
not proceeded far into the woods before he 
came in sight of a bear that was on the re- 
treat. He proceeded cautiously after bruin, 
keeping the bear to the windward, and fol- 
lowed up the hill in a northern direction, 
until he came near the top of the hill, when 
he again came in sight of his game, and 
was skulking along to get a better chance 
to shoot, when his wife, who had become 
alarmed by his absence and followed him, 
came in sight and halloed to him. This 
started the bear, but a Cjuick shot rolled 
the sheep-thief over on the ground lifeless. 
The courageous woman told her husband 
she had seen another bear while she was 
searching for him, and they started back 
in the direction where she had seen it. 
They had not proceeded far when they 
came in sight of the second bear, which 
Mr. Mead also killed with one shot from 
his faithful gun. They then returned 
towards where the sheep had been killed, 
thinking to pick up and save the wool that 
had been scattered by the carniverous 
shearers. 

As they came in sight of the spot, bruin 
number three was finishing his morning 
meal. Mr. Mead immediately settled his 
account with this bear in the same way he 
settled with the other two, and went home 
feeling very well after his before-breakfast 
exercise. He then informed the few neigh- 
bors in town of what he had done, who 
collected together, helped get the three 
bears out of the woods and dress them, 
and all had a "jovial time" and joyful 
feast. 

As the number of settlements in town 
increased, the bears became less numerous, 
and when one wa^ seen it was often the 
occasion of a lively and exciting chase. 
Sometimes nearly all the men within four 
or five miles would join in the chase, or 
surround the woods in which the bear was 
known to be, and lucky was the animal 
if he escaped unharmed. Three bears were 
killed one year at three such hunts. At 
one time, about the year 1830, a bear was 
discovered somewhere near the spot where 



the guide-board now is, near the Centre, 
and " all hands" started in pursuit. Geo. 
Holden, then living at the Centre, where 
Mrs. Daniels now resides, started with a 
pitchfork, the weapon he happened to have 
in his hands when he first heard the cry, 
" a bear! a bear!" The bear was chased 
down towards theWinooski, and made his 
way to somewhere near the river on the 
Governor's Rights, where, being worried 
by dogs and hotly pursued by men, he un- 
dertook to climb a tree that stood on a 
very steep side-hill. Mr. Holden, then a 
strong, courageous young man, was near, 
and ran to the foot of the tree as the bear 
was hitching up it, and stuck the pitchfork 
into the bear's posterior. Bruin, not liking 
lo be helped up in that way, dropped upon 
his hind feet, and threw his fore feet around 
Mr. Holden's body. Holden at the same 
time seized the bear "at a back-hug hold," 
and they tumbled over on the ground, and 
rolled over and over to the foot of the hill, 
and some say into the river, where they 
quit their holds, and bruin ran until he was 
out of the way of men and pitchforks, and 
went up another tree. The word spread 
rapidly that the bear was up a tree, and the 
men gathered together and commenced 
shooting at him. Many shots had been 
fired when Horace Holden put in an ap- 
pearance. After amusing himself and 
others present for a few minutes by crack- 
ing jokes and telling stories at the expense 
of the sharp-shooters, who were too ex- 
cited to kill a bear, he expressed a desire to 
try it himself. No sooner did his rifle 
crack than the bear loosened his hold on 
the tree and fell to the ground. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN THE EAST PART 
OF THE TOWN. 

Jacob Putnam settled where Elijah Whit- 
ney now lives in 1802 ; Micah Hatch on 
the old Hatch place, so-called, the same 
year ; Wm. Lewis on the Lathrop Lewis 
farm in 1805 ; John Arbuckle where Put- 
nam Daley now lives, about 1808; Lewis 
McElroy where Dudley Jones now lives, in 

1822; Caleb Bailey and York lived 

on the George Herrick farm in 1823 ; Ich- 
abod Cummings began on the Ziba Smith 
farm in 1824, lived there one year, and re- 



MIDDLESEX. 



241 



moved the next year to the farm where he 
with his Oramel, now Hve ; Daniel Colby 
lived on the farm where Frank Maxham 
and son now live, in 1826. 

The most ancient writings with a pen 
in town, are probably in the possession of 
James Vaughn, among which is a book 
commenced by George Vaughn in Oct. 
1687 ; the writing done by him being very 
neatly executed, and a commission of 
1696, given here et liter atem : 

"William Stoughton Esqr Lieutent 
Governour and Comander in chief in and 
over his Matys Province of the Masssa- 
chusetts Bay in New England. To Jo- 
seph Vaughn Greeting, By virtue of the 
power and authority in and by his Matys 
Royal Commission to me granted, I do by 
these presents constitute and appoint you 
to be Ensign of the Foot Company of Mili- 
tia in the Town of Middleboro within 
the County of Plimouth whereof Jacob 
Thompson Gent is Lieutenant. You are 
therefore carefully and diligently to dis- 
charge the duties of an Ensign by order- 
ing and Exercising the sd Company in 
arms both Inferiour Officers and Souldiers 
Keeping them in good order and Disci- 
pline, Commanding them to obey you as 
their ensign. And yourself to observe and 
follow such orders and directions as you 
shall receive from your sd Lieutenant and 
otheryour Superiour Officers, according to 
the Rules and Discipline of War pursuant 
to the trust reposed in you. Given under 
my hand & seal at arms at Boston the 
Fifth day of August, 1696, In the Eighth 
year of the Reign of our sovereign. Lord 
William the Third, by the Grace of God, 
of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, 
King, Defender of the Faith, &c. 

By Command of the Lieut. Govern'r., &c. 
Wm. Stoughton." 

Jsa. Addington, Secr'y. 

THE MIDDLESEX MONEY DIGGERS. 

" May Martin, or The Money Diggers," 
by D. P. Thompson, is known to be found- 
ed upon the fact that men dug here for 
money, at the foot of the nearly perpendic- 
ular drop of a hundred feet or more from 
the southerly part of the highest peak of 
Camel's Hump. It was commenced by a 
few men in 1824 or '25, who built a shanty 
there, one side a large piece of detached 
ledge, the other three sides, log of un- 
trimmed spruce and fir, quite young ; the 



roof formed by drawing in the trees as 
they neared the top, until the boughs met 
the ledge above, which shelter being pro- 
tected from the north and west winds by 
the high ledge, made a warm and com- 
fortable place, under which the men pro- 
fessed to dig in search of the treasure sup- 
posed to have been secreted by Capt. Kidd 
somewhere on this continent. They were 
in part directed in their search by a woman 
living towards the North part of the State, 
who claimed to see into unsearchable things 
by looking into a transparent quartz stone 
or piece of glass. This company subsisted 
mainly by duping the nearest settlers so as 
to get them to furnish food. One man let 
them have his sheep to eat until they had 
devoured a large flock, he expecting good 
pay when the treasure should be found. 
Many were the conjectures as to the object 
of these money-diggers. Some thought 
they were .a band of counterfeiters, others 
that they were a set of thieves, while a few 
thought they were honestly digging for 
money, and were hopeful for their success. 

Their work was brought to a close by a 
party of youngmen from Middlesex, among 
whom was Enos Stiles, who gives the fol- 
lowing account of their expedition, he be- 
ing the only one of the party now alive : 

Dec. II, 1836, between 8 and 9 o'clock 
in the evening, Ira McElroy, Calvin Farrar, 
Amos L. Rice, Archy McElroy, Jerry Mc- 
Elroy, Alexander M. Allen and Enos Stiles 
started from Middlesex village for Camel's 
Hump, with a view to discover what they 
could of the work or object of the money- 
diggers there, and were accompanied by 
Nathaniel Carpenter, then a justice of the 
peace, who went to act as an official if 
any arrests should be made. As they 
started, it so happened Danforth Stiles, 
from the east part of Middlesex, one Hink- 
son and one Reed were on their way to the 
mountain, and fell in with them. There 
was no temperance law then to forbid, no 
Good Templars to interfere, and acting 
upon the principle that which contained 
the most heat and stimulus was the best 
beverage for a long journey in a winter's 
night, they took two gallons of new rum 
for drink with them, and what provisions 



31 



242 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



needed beside. Leaving their teams at 
Ridley's tavern, now Ridley's Station, they 
took their provision and drink, and pro- 
ceeded on foot to the mountain, about 6 
miles distant. Esq. Carpenter stopped at 
the last house at the foot of the mountain 
to await for business, if needed, and the 
other seven of the party kept on up the 
steep mountain, through some two or three 
miles of thick forest. 

When about half way up, after crossing 
a spruce ridge and coming into hardwood 
where it was lighter, they called the roll, 
and found one man missing. Three men 
were detailed to go back and find him, 
which they did some one-third mile back, 
lying in the snow fast asleep, having ap- 
parently fallen asleep and dropped out of 
line unnoticed by the rest of the party. 
Nothing more of note occurred until they 
arrived in the early break of day at the 
headquarters of the money-diggers, where 
they found Rodney Clogston, of Middle- 
sex, the leader of the band, one Shackford, 
Eastman, and Friezell, up, dressed, with a 
good fire burning before the shanty. 

After looking over the premises a little, 
four of the party went up to the top, and 
were there at sunrise playing a game of 
cards. The south wind was blowing warm, 
and they suffered no inconvenience from 
cold. It had been warm for a number of 
days, and the snow was not very deep at 
that time. After taking breakfast, well- 
washed down, the Middlesex party com- 
menced a thorough search for goods, coin- 
ing implements, treasures or excavations, 
which continued till about i o'clock p. m., 
and resulted in finding nothing except a 
little digging done inside of the shanty in 
the ledge that formed one of its sides, 
about what might have been done by two 
men with powder, good drills and a sledge 
in one day. 

Giving up searching, the party came to- 
gether at the camp and had a social time, 
until some were feeling pretty well, when 
one man said he did not want to trouble 
the camp for anything, and offered to pur- 
chase one cent's worth of meat, which was 
dealt out to him. 

Then some of the boys, being possessed 



of evil spirits as well as good, commenced 
to break spruce twigs and put them on the 
fire for the fun of seeing them burn ; this 
made a division, and two opposing parties 
were formed. Two of the men from the 
east part of the town sided with the dig- 
gers, and one remained silent and neutral, 
which made six against seven, when the 
invaders commenced piling on larger brush, 
and soon had the shanty in a rousing blaze. 
The diggers defended their property smartly 
by words, and declared that their things 
should all burn and the boys would be 
compelled to pay for them ; but no fighting 
was done, and before the fire reached any 
of their things they made a rush and saved 
their trumpery, and let the shanty burn. 
The brush was so dry, the blaze shot into 
the air some fifty feet, making a splendid 
sight, but the diggers' lodge was reduced 
to ashes. In less than two hours after, the 
money-diggers were all on the march for 
home, thus ending the digging for Captain 
Kidd's treasures on Camel's Hump. 

THE COLDEST NIGHT HERE 

in the month of July since the year 1816, 
was probably in 1829. Enos Stiles relates 
that he worked at haying for Elijah Holden 
on the farm where Gardner Sawyer now 
resides, in 1829, and that he and two 
other men who were mowing on the loth 
of July threw down their whetstones on a 
swath of hay, one above another, and that 
when he took up the upper stone on the 
morning of the nth, the stones were 
frozen together so that he raised the three 
together when he lifted the top one. But 
he says the frost did not seriously injure 
the growing crops. 

FIRES. 

The only fire in town supposed to be in- 
cendiary was that burning the store, tavern- 
house and barns standing where B. Bar- 
rett's store and tavern now stand, and 
owned in 1835 by a man named Mann. 
In May, that year, the buildings, with 3 or 
4 horses and one ox, were burned, and 
Simeon Edson, who kept tavern where J. 
Q. Hobart now lives, was arrested on 
charge of setting the fire. At a justice 
trial the jury found him guilty, and he was 



MIDDLESEX. 



243 



lodged in jail to await County Court trial. 
After being in jail for some time, he got 
bail, and never appeared at trial, and as 
there was lack of good proof, his bonds 
were never called for. 

THE SAP-FEEDER, 

so generally used by maple sugar-makers 
to run the sap into the pans or evaporators 
as fast as it evaporates, was invented by 
the late Moses Holden, Esq., who for 
many years owned and carried on the 
sugar-place about 2 miles from his home 
in the village ; was a part of the Scott farm. 
He was a large, strong man, a great 
worker, and seldom had any help in sugar- 
ing, and often felt the need of having his 
sap boiling safely when he was away. 
Hearing a description of a floating con- 
trivance for regulating the amount of water 
running into the flume of a certain mill, gave 
him an idea about regulating the sap running 
into his sap-pans, and he went to Montpelier 
and told one of the tinmen there what he 
wanted made. The tinman would have 
nothing to do with it for fear of ridicule in 
case of a failure ; but going to another tin- 
shop, the tinman made the feeder accord- 
ing to directions, and only asked for a 
chance to make more if it proved a suc- 
cess. Mr. Holden took his invention 
home, elevated his sap-holder, put on his 
feeder, and started a lire. It worked well 
during the day, and when he left at night, 
he filled his holder with sap and his arch 
with wood, and when he returned in the 
morning, found his holder nearly emjity 
and everything right. He never applied 
for a patent, but used this first feeder as 
long as he sugared, and it is still used by 
Wm. Scott, who bought the sugar-place. 

Moses Holden died in May, 1878, at an 
advanced age. He had always been a res- 
ident of the town, had represented it in 
the Legislature twice, and had filled many 
offices of trust and responsibility. Many 
stories are told of his physical strength, 
one of them being to the effect that he has 
been known to cut and split 8 cords of three- 
foot wood in one day. He could lift up a 
full barrel of cider, hold it, and drink from 
the bumr-hole. 



BURYING GROUNDS. 

At an early date, Hon. Seth Putnam 
deeded his one-acre lot in the white pine 
division, which is in the village, on the 
east side of the street opposite the railroad 
depot, to the town for a burying ground. 
The yard is well fenced, and kept in as 
good condition as the scanty room will ad- 
mit. I have not learned who was the first 
person buried there, and the number can- 
not be very accurately determined, but the 
cemetery is nearly all occupied. 

The following names, taken mostly from 
the headstones there, show that there sleep 
some of the brave veterans who fought to 
establish our nation, and some of the dar- 
ing pioneei's who cleared the dense forest 
from our fertile fields : 

Lyman Tolman, aged 95, Cyrus Hill, 94, 
Ebenezer Woodbury — Revolutionary sol- 
diers ; Hon. Seth Putnam, fourth settler in 
town, 93 ; Capt. Holden Putnam, Captain 
at Plattsburgh, 86; Jesse Johnson, SenV, 
86 ; Luther Haskins, 84 ; Mary Petty Has- 
kins, wife of Luther, 81 ; Sally, wife of Dr. 
Joseph Lewis, 83 ; Polly Goldthwait, 79 ; 
Elihu Atherton, 79 ; Moses Holden, 78 ; 
Aaron Ladd, 78 ; Jesse Johnson, Jr., ']'] . 

As the ripened autumn leaves surely 
and successively drop from the forest trees 
and are borne to the silent earth, so are 
we, in sure succession, dropping from the 
stage of life, and being borne to the silent 
cities of the departed. And as the inhab- 
itants of these cities will soon outnumber 
those living in our villages and along our 
valleys and hill sides, it seems just and 
appropriate proper mention should be 
made of them ; and I think much credit is 
due the inhabitants of this town and near 
vicinity for the improving and adorning of 
their cemeteries. The ground now called 

THE MIDDLESEX CENTRE CEMETERY, 

is now one of the most neatly arranged 
country cemeteries to be found ; situated 
in a sightly, pleasant place, on the east 
side of the first made and most direct 
road from the village to the Centre, about 
2 miles from the river, on the top of the 
first of three elevations of rolling ground 
found in cominti from the villao;e on this 



244 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



road. Along the roadside and within the 
gate near the entering avenue, i,s a grove 
of handsome maples in rows, casting their 
shade upon the turf and over the pretty, 
white school house upon the left. The 
grounds within the cemetery are neatly 
arranged in 6 rows of lots, with 3 carriage 
avenues running the length of the ground 
and cross avenues. Each lot is raised 
above the avenues, with walk left between 
each 2 lots, and flowers, blooming shrubs 
and roses, break the mat of thick green grass 
and add their beauty to the sacred plots. 
A substantial wall and close-trimmed cedar 
hedge inclosing all. 

But it is more the tasteful arrangement 
of the whole that makes the place seem 
beautiful for every one, than any profuse 
adornment. The stranger, too, pauses to 
admire the lovely scenery around as well, 
and the mourners feel a spirit of thankful- 
ness that their dear friends are resting in 
so fair a place. 

There are some 200 graves here now, 
with many monuments. Jan. i, 181 2 Na- 
than Benton, one of the first settlers, 
deeded 2 acres of land here to Joseph 
Chapin, Josiah Holden and 16 others : the 
land tc be used for a neighborhood bury- 
ing ground. In the spring of 1822 there 
were 5 graves in this ground, but it was 
in an open field, and had not been exactly 
located. That year the neighbors met 
and appointed Stephen Herrick to meas- 
ure and stake out the ground, and a fence 
was built around it. 

But little was done to improve it more 
until about 1856, when through the influ- 
ence and under the supervision of Horace 
Holden, the friends of the deceased buried 
there, and others who felt interested, be- 
gan to kill the weeds and brakes that had 
become abundant, and improvements were 
continued from time to time till 1858, when 
everything was completed nearly as at pres- 
ent. In 1866, an association was formed 
called " The Middlesex Centre Cemetery 
Association," to which Aaron Ladd, Asa 
Chapin, and 21 others, owners of lots, 
deeded their right and title. Under the 
Association each one of those who deeded 
and each one who took an active part in 



the work of improving the ground were en- 
titled to a family lot. 

SOME OF THE OLDEST 

buried here are : Elizabeth McElroy, came 
from Scotland to U. S. in 1740, died in 
1823, aged 99 ; Joseph Chapin, SenV, 96 
Susanna Chase, 89 ; Jeremiah Leland, 78 
Elizabeth, wife of Jeremiah Leland, 88 
Samuel Daniels, 87 ; Lucretia, wife of Sam- 
uel Daniels, 78 ; Polly McElroy, 84 ; San- 
ford White, 80; Maj. John Poor, 79, and 
Eliza M., his wife, T}^ — both buried in one 
grave; Joseph Chapin, Jr., 78 ; Horace 
Holden, 74 ; Marian Leland, 92 ; Abram 
Gale, 78, and Mary, his wife, 92 ; Marga- 
ret Mead, 79 ; Benjamin Willey, 72 ; Mary 
Wilson, 73; Hosea Minott, 74; Knight 
Nichols, 81, and Mercy, his wife, 92 ; Geo. 
H. Lewis, 71. 

THE NORTH BRANCH CEMETERY. 

On North Branch, about i mile below 
Putnam's Mills, is another cemetery, of 
which Mr. Putnam furnishes the following 
description : 

"About 1810, Jno. Davis was buried on 
land then occupied by him, known as the 
Scudder lot, nearly in front of his house, 
on the opposite side of the road. After 
that time the place was used for a burying 
ground, and \ of an acre was enclosed with 
a log-fence. At that time a man by the 
name of Flande'rs lived where Chester 
Taylor now lives ; Levi Lewis and wife, 
Polly, lived where G. M. Whitney now 
does. Jno. Davis and wife, Nancy, were 
the first who lived on the Stiles place. 
James Pittsly and wife, Esther, commenced 
on the place known as the Bohonnon 
place, on the east side of the stream, now 
occupied by Jacob Putnam. After this, 
Wm. Lewis purchased the Scudder lot and 
the inhabitants erected a board fence around 
the burying lot. Oct. 8, 1863, an asso- 
ciation was formed called the North Branch 
Cemetery Association. The trustees pur- 
chased li acres, together with the old 
ground of Lathrop Lewis, son of Wm. 
Lewis, for $150, and built a good, substan- 
tial fence around it, erected a hearse-house 
and purchased a hearse. The location 
being on the main road, and the soil dry 



MIDDLESEX. 



245 



and sandy, makes it the most desirable 
cemetery in the town." 

Some of the oldest buried in North 
Branch Cemetery were : Clarissa Gould, 
aged 66 ; Ruth Minott, 66 ; Daniel Russell, 
68; his wife. Temperance, 8i ; Reuben 
Russell, 78 ; his wife, Susannah, 69 ; John 
Gallison, 83 ; his wife, Phebe, 85 ; Allen 
Gallison, 68; Enoch Kelton, 64; his wife, 
Huldah, 72 ; Josiah Wright, 76 ; his wife, 
Betsy, 84 ; Nathaniel Wentworth, 71 ; Eliz- 
abeth, relict of Moses Wentworth, 87 ; Wil- 
liam Lewis, 88 ; his wife, Hannah, 67 ; 
Jacob Putnam, 73 ; his wife, Polly W., 57 ; 
Betsy Thayer, 67 ; Isaac Batchelder, 61 ; 
his wife, Mary, 68 ; David Herrick, 86 ; 
his wife, Mary, 85 ; Stephen C. Jacobs, 76 : 
Andrew Tracy, 75 ; his wife, Levina, 84 ; 
Ebenezer Cummings, 94; Abel H. Cole- 
man, j^-^ David Gray, 82; David Hatch, 
63 ; his wife, Sarah, 57 ; John McDermid, 
nearly 7 J ; his wife, Adelia, nearly 72 ; 
Louiza Lane, 72; Margaret Smith, 81; 
Thomas Culver, 71 ; his wife, Anna, 73; 
Zeley Keyes, 76; Micah Hatch, 83; his 
wife, Mary, 69 ; Ephraim Hall, 68 ; Tim- 
othy Worth, 84 ; Solomon Lewis, 89 ; his 
wife, Susannah, 70; his second wife, Lu- 
cinda, 68 ; Elizabeth Church, 60 ; Sabra 
Burrell, 85 ; Wm. R. Kinson, 56; Hannah 
Kinson, 73 ; Eunice Edgerly, 64. 

Mrs. Lydia King, widow of Elder Na- 
thaniel King, died at the house of her son- 
in-law, Stephen Herrick, at the age of 91 
years, and was buried in Northfield. 

REMARKABLE CASE OF PETRIFACTION. 

In March, 1846, James Vaughn (the 
writer's father,) and family, which in- 
cluded his father, Daniel Vaughn, moved 
from Pomfret, this state, on to a farm in 
the N. W. part of Middlesex. 

" Uncle Daniel," as he was universally 
called in Windsor County, was a man 
about 5 feet, 10 inches in height, broad 
shouldered, stout built, and weighing some 
more than 200 lbs. He was noted for his 
remarkable strength, his strong, heavy 
voice, his sociality, his song-singing and 
story-telling, and was a notedly robust 
man, the solidity of muscle increasing as 
age advanced to such an extent as to 



make it necessary for him to use a cane 
or crutches for the last 15 years of his life. 

He died of dropsy June 3, 1846, aged 
78 years, and by his request was l)uried in 
a place selected by himself in a sightly 
spot near the house where he died. The 
following March the eldest daughter of 
James Vaughn, aged 16, died of consump- 
tion, and was buried in a grave near her 
grandfather. In Feb. 1855 their remains 
were taken up to be removed to the family 
burying-Iot in Woodstock cemetery. The 
remains of the young lady were found in 
the usual condition of those buried that 
length of time. 

The uncommon heft of Mr. Vaughn's 
coffin led to an examination of the re- 
mains, when it was found that the body 
had become petrified. Every part, ex- 
cepting the nose, was in perfect form, 
nearly its natural color, but a little more 
of a yellowish tinge, hard like stone, and 
it weighed 550 lbs. The petrified body 
was viewed by Mr. Vaughn's family and 
many of the neighbors in Middlesex, and 
was also seen by many at Woodstock. A 
somewhat minute examination b^ physi- 
cians and scientific men revealed the fact 
that the fingers, toes and the outer part of • 
the body were very hard and brittle, but 
that the length of time had not been suffi- 
cient to so fully change the inner portions 
of the most fleshly parts of the body and 
limbs. But it was generally believed by 
those who made examination that a few 
years more of time would have made the 
work of petrifaction complete, and chan- 
ged the entire body to a mineral forma- 
tion, that would perhaps endure for ages. 

A biographical sketch of him we have 
not given, as it properly belongs in Pom- 
fret history, of which town he was an 
early settler. 

SUDDEN AND ACCIDENTAL DEATHS. 

Luther Haskins, aged about 80, died in 
a chair in Barrett & Holden's store. He 
sat leaning slightly back, and was first 
noticed to be dead by Will Herrick, who 
happened to go into the store. 

Nancy Hornbrook, aged 16, daughter of 
Wm. Hornbrook, dropped dead at a party 
at Alfred Warren's, about the year 1856. 



246 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



When the railroad was being built, Lo- 
vina Cameron, aged about 13, dau. of Ira 
Cameron, of this town, was visiting in 
Berlin. She and a cousin and another girl 
were walking over the railroad bridge near 
Montpelier Junction, stepping from one 
stringer to another, all having hold of 
hands, when one made a misstep, and Miss 
Cameron and her cousin fell through into 
the river and were drowned. 

U. W. Goodell, nephew of L. D. Ains- 
worth, was struck on the forehead by a 
stick thrown by a circular saw while work- 
ing in Mr. Ainsworth's saw-mill, and lived 
but a few hours. 

Chester Newton, while working in the 
same mill, helping to saw logs, was twitch- 
ed upon the large circular saw, by the saw 
catching a board he was moving, and so hor- 
ribly mangled that he lived but a short time. 

Alvaro, son of Frederick Richardson, 
brakeman on the cars, aged 26 years, was 
killed by his head striking the timbers 
overhead in the dry-bridge at Waterbury, 
in 1879. Hinkley Chapin, aged 22, was 
killed at the same place, and in the same 
way, in 1851. 

In 1872, Louis AmePs house, on east 
hill, caught fire from smoking meat in the 
wood-shed, and Mr. Amel was overcome 
by the flames while removing property, 
and burned with the house. Age, 51 yrs. 

Nathaniel Daniels was drowned in 1818 ; 
see account of freshets. George, a son of 
Hiram Williams, was drowned in the river 
below the Narrows, while bathing, aged 
about 16. Frank, son of Osgood Evans, 
was in a boat above the Narrows, one pad- 
dle broke, and he went over the falls and 
was drowned. His body was found in the 
eddy below the Narrows. The only son 
of Asa Chapin, was drowned in a spring 
while drawing water for use in the house, 
and a little son of Samuel Mann was 
drowned in a spring on the Stephen Her- 
rick farm. 

James Daniels, aged about 78, living at 
Lawrence Fitzgerald's, was found dead in 
bed in the morning. 

There have been 10 cases of suicide in 
the last 60 years by Middlesex people, 7 of 
which were committed in town. 



STEPHEN HERRICK. 

BY THE EDITOR. 

We do not usually give sketches of the 
living, but the senior writer of this town 
history being so aged a man, and it being 
somewhat remarkable in his case that of 
210 men living in the town when he set- 
tled here, who had families, that he has 
been the last survivor of them all for eight 
and a half years past, it seems a moderate 
autobiographic record in such circum- 
stances is admissible. 

Mr. Herrick is of English and Scotch 
descent, son of Stephen, senior ; born in 
Randolph, Vt., Feb. 19, 1795. In the 
fall of 1820, he came to Middlesex, and se- 
lected his location, bought in October, but 
returned to Randolph, taught school that 
winter after in Brookfield, and returned .to 
Middlesex in April, 1821. He bought his 
farm of Reuben Mann, son of Samuel, who 
was one of the first settlers, and where Mr. 
H. has continued to reside for the past 61 
years. He married Lydia, dau. of Rev. 
Nathaniel King ; their children : Eliza — 
mar. ist, Chester Pierce of N. H., 2d, 
Samuel Warren of Middlesex, 3d, Ad in 
Miles of Worcester, has three children 
living ; Nathaniel King, the only son, 
who m. Jane Foster, 3 children, 2 living — 
King Herrick, as he is always called, is a 
merchant at Middlesex village ; Emily R., 
who died at 22 ; Harriet, who m. Abram 
S. Adams, had 5 children, and is deceased : 
Laura Jane, who m. John McDermid, had 
2 daughters, buried one ; Nancy Jane, who 
m. Arthur McDermid, bro. to John, 3 chil- 
dren, her husband dying, m. 2d, Freder- 
erick A. Richardson ; Lydia Ann, who 
mar. Heman Taplin, no children ; and 
youngest, Alma R., born In 1842, married 
V. V. Vaughn, Mar. 8, 1865,— children, 
Mabel, died at 10 years, Wilmar Herrick, 
Ida Alma, and Frank Waldo. 

Mr. Herrick has been a man of great 
physical strength and vigorous mind. 
The following will evince what his mental 
ability has been : 

When the Vt. Central R. R. was being 
built, Abram B. Barker and Thomas 



MIDDLESEX. 



247 



Haight contracted to build 2 miles of it 
below Middlesex village. They carried 
on work for about a year and failed. Ste- 
phen Herrick took a contract to finish the 
work; carried it on about 13 months, and 
in consequence of short estimates also 
failed — but for which he immediately com- 
menced a suit against the R. R. Co., and 
afterwards was retained for and commen- 
ced a suit in favor of Barker and Haight 
as agent for their creditors. After carry- 
ing on these suits for 8 years he got a de- 
cree against the R. R. Co. in his own 
case for about $9000 ; the Barker & 
Haight suit he prosecuted for 20 years be 
fore .getting a final decree. 

In these suits he took all his testimony 
himself, examined his witnesses himself 
in court, and wrote out his own pleas. In 
a word he was his own lawyer. It is said 
he once appeared in Supreme court with 
his case written out, filling 300 pages, that 
Gov. Paine, the president of the road, 
said that that book would be the death of 
him. Mr. Herrick tells the story now 
well, and adds that it was. When Gov. 
Paine was summoned, he told the officer 
he had rather meet the devil than that 
Stephen Herrick in the court. 

He has also successfully, as town agent, 
managed many suits for the town, includ- 
ing the noted Wythe pauper suit with 
Moretown, the Beckwith suit in regard to 
settling the 3 ministerial lots, and the East 
Hill road suit, and has managed many 
grand jury suits, in all of which he acted 
as his own counsel and made his own 
pleas. 

The Saturday before the death of the late 
Hon. Daniel Baldwin, these two old men 
met upon the street at Montpelier village. 
Said Mr. Baldwin. "We two old men, 
the two oldest inhabitants of our respective 
neighboring towns, should have a visit to- 
gether." Mr. Herrick assented, and asked 
where it should be. "It must be at my 
house," replied Mr. Baldwin, " and next 
Saturday, one week from to-day." The 
following Wednesday Mr. Baldwin died. 
Mr. Herrick seems remarkably hale and 
hearty yet. 



REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. 

No official list of Revolutionary soldiers 
who have resided in Middlesex can be ob- 
tained, but the following-named men are 
said to have been Revolutionary pension- 
ers who have lived in town : Estes Hatch, 
— Sloan, Jas. Hobart, Cyrus Hill, Micah 
Hatch, David Phelps, Col. Joseph Hutch- 
ins, Joseph Chapin, Sr., Lyman Tolman. 

Seth Putnam was one of the first three 
settlers in Washington County, having 
moved into Middlesex in 1785. He was a 
cousin to the noted Israel Putnam, and as 
a subaltern in Col. Warner's celebrated 
regiment of Green Mountain Boys, partic- 
ipated in their battles and marches in the 
old Revolution. He related many of his 
adventures of the first settlement, and 
among them one of a remarkable march 
which he made through the wilderness in a 
snow-storm, from Rutland, where he had 
been in attendance as a member of the 
legislature during the month of November. 
The only traveled road to his home was 
then around by Burlington. 

SOLDIERS BURIED IN TOWN IN THE 
WAR OF 1 86 1. 

S. F. Jones, Jacob Jones and Zenas 
Hatch, — in North Branch Cemetery. 

Chester Newton, — in the Cemetery at 
the Center. 

Nathaniel Jones, — in the village Ceme- 
tery. 

Mrs. Esther Shontell, of this town, sent 
seven sons into the army in this war: Wil- 
liam, who measured 6 feet 8 inches in 
height ; Benjamin, 6 feet 4 inches ; Fred- 
erick, 6 feet 3 inches ; Leander, 5 feet 9 
inches ; Lewis, 6 feet i inch ; Joseph, 6 
feet 7 inches ; Augustus, 6 feet. Two of 
the brothers were killed ; and the mother 
draws a pension for one of them. Anoth- 
er left a widow, and two are pensioned on 
account of wounds. 

O, the strong MItUUesex boys 

Were luad for the war ! 
And llie name of each liero 

To tlie ages afar 
Shall leave a track like a comet— 

Each shine as u star. 



248 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



List of Men credited to the Town of Middlesex, 1861-1865. 

BY STEPHEN HEKRICK. 



VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE YEARS, 



Names. 
Brown, Harvey W. 
Smith, William S. 
Ripley, William C. 
Scribner, Walter 
Ilerrick, George S. 
Leonard, Alonzo R. 
Leonard, Charles P. 
Cushman, George H. 
Evans, Goin B. 
Gould, Page 
Gould, Worthen T. 
Jones, Stephen F. 
Jones, Jacob G. 
Divine, John 
Lee, John Jr. 
Sweeny, James 
Leonard, John R. 
Whitney, Elijah 
Hogan, John 
Shontell, William 
Shontell, Benjamin 
Shontell, Frederick 
Shontell, Leander 
Amel, Louis 
Warren, Lorenzo S. 
Warren, Alonzo S. 
Kinson, Benjamin H. 
Wilson, Francis 
Nichols, Roswell S. 
Lewis, Frederick A. 
Lewis, UeForest L. 
Scott, Elisha 
George, Albert 
Smith, John W, 
Chase, Austin A. 
Spencer, George W. 
Hastings, Sidney B. 
Dudley, William N. 

Preston, Philander R. 

Wells, Warren O. 
Hills, Zerah 
Oakland, George 
Hogan, Henry 
Smith, William P. 
Cushman, Holmes 
Williams, Hiram 
Morrisett, John 
Patterson, Robert 
Scaribo, Fabius 
Lewis, Charles J. 
Fifield, William C. 
Tobin, John W. 
Cameron, Sylvester 
Ward, Tertullus C. 
Bean, Albert 
Bruce, George W. 
Jones, Jabez 
Chase, Amos J. 
Buck, William H. H. 
Templeton, James A. 
Cameron, John 
Rublee, Otis N. 
Herrick, Geo. S. 
Amel, Louis 



A{ie. 


Keij. Co 


Enlistment. 


19 


2 F 


May 7 61 


22 


do 


do 


21 


3H 


June I 61 


21 


4G 


Aug 22 61 


23 


do 


Aug 29 61 


21 


do 


Sept 3 61 


19 


do 


do 


34 


do 


Aug 22 61 


21 


6 G 


Feb 1862 


21 


6H 


Aug 14 61 


18 


do 


do 


44 


do 


do 


18 


do 


do 


30 


6 G 


Oct 15 61 


32 


do 


Sept 20 61 


35 


do 


Sept 23 61 


26 


6 F 


-Oct 361 


31 


do 


Oct 8 61 




6H 


Aug 14 61 


25 


8 E 


Oct 21 61 


24 


do 


Dec 16 61 


22 


do 


Jan 10 62 


19 


do 


Dec 16 61 


3^ 


do 


Oct 7 61 


22 


do 


Dec 7 61 


20 


do 


do 


26 


do 


Oct 3 61 


28 


do 


do 


41 


do 


Nov 30 61 


18 


CavC 


Sept 13 61 


20 


do 


Nov 12 61 


50 


do 


Sept 20 61 


21 


do 


Sept 13 61 


41 


do 


Sept 12 61 


21 


do 


Oct 3 61 


28 


do 


Sept 20 61 


42 


do 


do 


32 


do 


Sept 12 61 


27 


do 


Sept 21 61 


38 


1st Bat 


Dec 361 


34 


do 


do 


24 


2d Bat 


Oct 23 61 


20 


9 I 


June 18 62 


19 


do 


June 30 62 


27 


10 B 


July 25 62 


29 


do 


Aug 1 62 


28 


do 


July 30 62 


35 


do 


Aug 6 62 


28 


do 


Aug 4 62 


25 


11 D 


Aug 12 62 


41 


6 F 


Aug 15 62 


18 


do 


do 


25 


do 


do 


26 




do 


"3 


2 D 


do 


23 


10 K 


Aug II 62 


19 


II I 


Dec 5 63 


40 


Cav C 


Nov 24 63 


22 


CavG 


Dec II 63 


45 


Cav C 


Dec 863 


26 


do 


Dec 18 63 


18 


3d Bat 


Sept 563 


25 


' do 


Nov 2 63 


19 


do 


Sept 1563 



28, 65. 



Died Feb. 4, 63, at Point Lookout, Md. 

Died Sept. 5, 61, at Washington, D. C. 

Discharged Nov. 8, 62. [23, 65. 

Corp : pris. June 23, 64 : must, out May 

Discharged Jan. 21, 63. 

Discharged Dec. iS, 62. 

Re-en. Feb. 8, 64 : must, out May 23, 65. 

Corp : killed at Weldon R.R. June 23, 64. 

Discharged April 24, 63. [June 26, 65. 

First Serg : wd. April 16, 62 : must, out 

Died Jan. 4, 63, at Belle Plains, Va. 

Died Feb. 63, at Brattleboro. 

Died Jan. 24, 62, at Camp Griffin. 

Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 : must, out June 26, 65. 

Re-en. Dec. 15, 63 : must, out July 15, 65. 

Discharged Jan. 8, 62. 

Mustered out Oct. 28, 64. 

First Lieut : resigned June 19, 62. 

Wd. April 16, 62 : deserted Jan. 19, 63. 

Corp: discharged Feb. 12, 63. 

Discharged Oct. 16, 62. 

Died May 16, 62. 

Wd. Sept. 4, 62 : must, out Aug. 3, 64. 

Re-en. Jan. 5, 64 : must, out June 

Wd. Sept. 4, 62 : dis. April 6, 63. 

Died March 19, 63. 

Died June 18, 62. 

Corp : died Dec. 5, 62. 

Musician : discharged June 30, 62. 

Paroled pris : must, out May 23, 65. 

Mustered out Nov. 18, 64. 

do [Nov. 18, 64. 

Pro. Corp : wd. Apr. i, 63 : mustered out 
Corp : discharged Oct. 9, 62. 
Discharged Nov. 27, 61. 
Discharged Oct. 3, 62. 
Discharged Nov. 18, 64. 
Discharged Jan. 13, 63. 
Wd. July 6, 63 : Re-en. Dec. 31, 63 ; tak- 
ken pris. June 29, 64 ; died at Florence, 
' S. C, Jan., 65. 

Corp : mustered out Aug. 10, 64. [La. 
Corp : died June 25, 63, at Port Hudson, 
Corp: re-en.Feb.20,64: mus.out July 31,65 
Pro. Corp: do. Serg: mus. out June 13, 65. 
Died Oct. 12, 62. 
Mustered out June 22, 65. 
Died Feb. 17, 65, at Washington, D. C. 
Mustered out June 22, 65. 
Wd. Oct. 19, 64 : dis. May 27, 65. 
Mustered out June 22, 65. [15, 65. 

Sec. Lt : pro. ist Lt : do. Capt : dis. May 
Must, out June 19, 65. [out June 19,65. 
Wd.Sep. 19, 64: pro. Corp: do Serg: mus. 
Mustered out June 19, 65. 
Killed in ac. at Gettysburgh, July 3, 63. 
Died Oct. 3, 64, at Sandy Hook, of wds. 
Deserted July 5, 63. 
Died at Middlesex, July 10, 65. 
Mustered out Aug. 9, 65. 
Discharged Sept. 15, 65. 
Mustered out Aug. 9, 65. 
Wd. May 6, 64 : discharged Feb. 22, 65. 
Musician : mustered out June 15, 65. 
do do 

do 



